SARS advice desk set up at Rosslare

May 2003

A SARS advice desk has been set up at Rosslare Ferryport.

The establishment of the desk at the passenger terminal is among a range of new measures taken by the South Eastern Health Board to address growing public fears about the spread of the killer virus.

‘It will be staffed when boats come in. There won’t be somebody there 24 hours a day,’ said SEHB Communications Manager, Audrey Lambourn.

In another move to allay the concerns of the public and front line health professionals, protective masks have been issued to all GPs and ambulance staff to enable them to cope with any suspected cases of SARS that they may have to deal with.

And Health Board information posters on the signs and symptoms of SARS have been published and distributed to all GP practices and hospitals.

The symptoms of SARS are a temperature of over 38 degrees with flu-like symptoms and a cough. This is relevant only to people who have been to the affected areas. The advice to the general public remains as before: people travelling to affected parts of China, Hong Kong and Singapore should be aware of the symptoms and seek medical advice if they should become unwell during their trip or within 10 days of leaving the area.

The World Health Organisation has lifted the travel advisory for Toronto, Canada and Hanoi, Vietnam. However if you have been to Toronto or Hanoi recently and are concerned that you may have the symptoms of SARS, please ring your GP for advice.

If you have any of the above symptoms and have been in the affected areas, please ring your local GP, who will advise you. Do not go straight to the GP practice prior to contacting your GP by phone.