Arroyo Confirms First SARS Case in Philippines

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 11, 2003

Arroyo Confirms First SARS Case in Philippines

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday confirmed the first Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) case in the country, a local media reported.

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Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday confirmed the first Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) case in the country, a local media reported.

Arroyo confirmed the patient, who is now monitored in the Philippine National Epidemiology Center, was infected with SARS, but declined to release the patient's identity, the ABS-CBN news channel reported.

Earlier on Friday, Arroyo asked overseas compatriots who suspect they may have been infected with SARS to stay away from the Philippines for the time being.

Arroyo also called for avoiding fault-finding in the face of the investigation conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO)on the origin of the SARS.

She noted that no country is specifically at fault for the origin of SARS. Instead of fault-finding, she said, the world should unite in the face of the problem and avoid divisive accusations.

Likewise, she said, all countries should avoid panic due to thefear of the disease and instead be alert and be ready to handle any situation to prevent the further spread of SARS.

The World Health Organization has reported a total of 2,671 SARS cases with 103 deaths from 17 countries and regions as of April 8.

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