Santa Clara County health officials have reported the 12th
suspected case of the mysterious flu-like disease that’s infected
4,000 people worldwide and led to about 250 deaths
– although none in the United States.
SAN JOSE – Santa Clara County health officials have reported the 12th suspected case of the mysterious flu-like disease that’s infected 4,000 people worldwide and led to about 250 deaths – although none in the United States.
The county Public Health Department identified a 72-year-old woman who had recently traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam and other areas of Asia, as another suspected case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.
The woman, whose identity and city of residence were not released for confidentiality reasons, remains hospitalized in fair condition after returning from the trip last weekend.
Of the county’s 12 reported suspect SARS cases, seven are on record with the state’s Department of Health Services, including four suspect cases and three “probable” cases. Five suspect cases have alternative diagnoses.
Probable cases are suspect cases with radiographic evidence of pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome.
Just 38 probable cases have been reported in the U.S., 12 of them in California, the Associated Press reported.
Most of the people in Santa Clara County suspected of having the illness had either recently traveled to Asia, where the disease is most prevalent, or were in contact with people who did.
For more information, call (408) 885-3980 or go to www.sccphd.org.
