DPH Changes SARS Website

HARTFORD –– The Connecticut Department of Public Health announced this week that it is modifying its website at www.dph.state.ct.us to include a listing of each suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) case reported in Connecticut and its diagnostic and public health status.

The modification is being made to enable those who are interested to obtain pertinent public health information on each suspected case. The line-list will be updated weekly.

In the past week, one new suspect case of SARS in a Connecticut resident was reported to the DPH. This case involves a Hartford County resident who visited Toronto in mid to late April. This individual was evaluated as an outpatient for a mild respiratory illness with fever and cough that began within several days of returning to Connecticut and is recovering at home. While in Toronto, this person had no recognized contact with anyone known to have SARS or anyone who was ill.

So far the DPH has received reports on a total of nine possible cases of SARS, including three in Fairfield County. None have yet been confirmed as having been infected by the corona virus that is thought to cause SARS. Nationally, more than 300 suspect cases have been reported.