Mystery
New Zealand Bleeding
Lung Deaths Not SARS
NewstalkZB News
8-28-03
- NZ Ministry of Health
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- Medical authorities say the symptoms causing the
deaths of three Dunedin people do not appear to match those of
SARS.
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- The two women and a man all died suddenly and
unexpectedly of heavy lung bleeding.
-
- The individuals were in their 40s and 50s with no
obvious existing medical conditions. It has been six days since the last
death.
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- The victims were from the same part of Dunedin but did
not know each other and had not travelled overseas this year.
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- Preliminary indications for all three cases suggest
pneumonia, and the Ministry of Health is contacting all emergency
departments to confirm that the cases are isolated.
-
- Doctors and nurses are being advised to ensure that
all steps are being taken to limit any risk of spread of the disease.
Precautionary safety measures have been put in place at Dunedin
Hospital's emergency department and St John Ambulance service is being
advised to be alert to patients with similar symptoms.
-
- The Ministry of Health is carrying out detailed
interviews with the victims' family members and is carrying out tests to
identify possible causes of death.
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- Investigations to date have not been able to identify
any virus or bacteria linked to the deaths. No other cases of illness
linked to the deaths have been reported.
-
- Director General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi says the
Ministry of Health will monitor the situation very, very closely. She
says only the three people have so far developed symptoms, suggesting
the disease has a low level of infection.
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- But she says the Ministry of Health wants to know if
there are any other cases elsewhere in the country, and the Ministry has
asked all District Health Boards to be on alert.
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- The Health Boards will, in turn, ask their General
Practitioners to be on alert.
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- Dr Poutasi says the Ministry of Health will provide
expert advice to doctors and nurses.
-
- She says one case of sudden death associated with
pulmonary haemorrhage can occur at any time, two in reasonably close
proximity is unusual, and three is even more unusual.
-
- Reporter Diane Brown, who covered last night's media
conference at Dunedin Hospital, says basic hygiene is being promoted as
a way to lessen the risk of becoming sick or making others sick.
-
- Washing hands thoroughly and covering your mouth when
you sneeze or cough should help. She says the Ministry of Health
believes that common coughs and colds are quite normal, but a rapid
onset of illness should be checked by a doctor straight away.
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