No SARS cases here

Despite recent publicity regarding the worldwide outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, there have been no suspected or confirmed cases in Madison and relatively few in the United States.

UW–Madison and community health-care professionals are monitoring the situation carefully. Should there be cause for immediate concern or action, it would be conveyed through many channels, says Craig Roberts, epidemiologist at University Health Services.

Nationally, even in neighborhoods and communities where there have been many people arriving from epidemic areas, there have been few confirmed incidents of SARS. Regardless of ethnic heritage, people are not at increased risk unless they have recently traveled to or from an affected area. Please extend your support and continued friendship to all members of the community, Roberts requests.

Information about SARS is available online at the UHS Web site or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Web site.

To speak with a UHS professional about SARS-related concerns, call 265-5600 during business hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday.