Reassurance offered in light of global SARS threat

Local plans to deal with a Northern Ireland outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) were today rolled in Belfast today as part of a major international conference.

Over 200 health professionals attended Monday's conference, which also saw the launch of the DHSSPS’s Interim Contingency Plan.

Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell said that while there was no indication that SARS has reappeared, people could not become complacent. "Following the outbreak of SARS earlier this year in China, Toronto and certain other areas, I set up a Taskforce to ensure that our Health Service would be ready to respond to any future outbreaks or to an infection of a similar nature," Dr Campbell said.

"This conference and the launch today of the Interim Contingency Plan for SARS are real signs of progress towards our objective.”

Mrs Campbell confirmed that the Taskforce had been involved in examining preparedness in Northern Ireland's Health Service on many different fronts, ranging from primary care in the community, through secondary care in hospitals to dealing with medical emergencies at airports and seaports.

Linking SARS to the ever increasing demands on the Health Service, local Health Minister, Angela Smith added: “I believe the dedication, commitment and professionalism of our health service workers is second to none.

"The demands of the public for treatment and care are ever increasing, yet you continue to rise to meet them and to take on new challenges such as those presented by a disease like SARS.”

Among the speakers at the conference were some from abroad with experience of dealing with SARS at first hand, including Dr Bernardus Ganter from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Dr Michael Gardam who addressed the conference by video link from Toronto, Canada.

Dr Angus Nicoll from the Health Protection Agency (UK) also gave a presentation to the conference while local speakers included Dr Peter Coyle, Regional Virologist, Dr Lorraine Doherty, Senior Medical Officer in DHSSPS and Dr Brian Smyth.

(MB)