SARS cases suspected in Vt.

Benninton Banner Article Published: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 - 2:35:09 AM EST

BURLINGTON (AP) -- Two Chittenden County residents who recently traveled to China are suspected of having a mysterious flu-like disease that has killed about 60 people worldwide, state health officials said Monday.

Both have received medical care and are in good condition; neither person suspected of having severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been hospitalized.

State health officials said Monday the two suspected Vermont cases of the pneumonia-like disease are unrelated to each other.

"We are working closely with these individuals and their physicians," said Dr. Paul Jarris, state health commissioner. Health officials have advised them to remain at home for 10 days after their symptoms have cleared, he said.

Jarris also said he and other state health officials are in "constant touch" with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta to ensure all appropriate measures are being taken to control the spread of the disease.

"At this time, there are no definitive tests available to confirm SARS," Jarris said.

The United States and Canada have advised people to avoid travel to afflicted areas in Asia. More than 1,600 people have been infected worldwide.

As of March 30, the CDC reported 69 suspected cases of SARS under investigation in 26 states. No death in the United States had been reported.

The CDC has extended its travel advisory to include all of mainland China as well as Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore.

"Anyone who has traveled to one of these areas since February 1, and who has a flu-like illness that includes fever and respiratory symptoms, should contact their primary care physician and seek medical advice," Jarris said.

U.S. health officials said Saturday that none of the antiviral drugs and other treatments they have tested is effective against SARS.