Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
AP: CDC Expert Showing Symptoms of SARS
Aired May 22, 2003 - 14:54 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we were going to talk weight loss and diets with Elizabeth Cohen, but that has changed quickly. This just in to CNN. We are told a doctor that works with the CDC, suspected case of SARS. I can't -- I think everybody's sort of -- what the? -- with this story.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, because this doctor had an expertise in infection control. That's why they sent him to Taiwan, where they're having a serious SARS problem and he then apparently, or is suspected of developing SARS there and the CDC is so worried about him that they're putting him on an air ambulance and sending him to an Atlanta hospital which has been -- which has been prepared for the arrival of a SARS patient.
Let me tell you a little bit about what happened. This doctor, whose name is not being released, on Monday, this past Monday, developed a low-grade fever. He had been in Taiwan for a couple of days. He had been in the hospital where there are SARS patients and had taken all the precautions that he was supposed to take, according to the CDC.
The CDC says he wore the gloves, he wore the gown, he wore the masks, he wore everything that he was supposed to wear, but then on Monday he developed a low-grade fever. Then the fever went away and on Tuesday we are told that he mingled with other people in his hotel, but then the fever returned and it was accompanied by a cough. A fever and a cough are the telltale signs of SARS. It doesn't absolutely mean that he has SARS, but it means that he is now a suspected case of SARS.
Three CDC members who were with him took care of him. They are now quarantined. They're in good health, but they are now quarantined. This man has been isolated and all four will be on their way back here to Atlanta.
PHILLIPS: Now this is an expert. You would think this doctor would know how to avoid this. What happened?
COHEN: Well, that's what makes this so scary. If indeed he does have SARS, the big question will be -- and it will be the CDC that investigates this -- is how the heck did he get SARS when he knew everything that he was supposed to be doing. If indeed he does have SARS, this may make the CDC rethink, Gee, have we told every one to do everything? Is there something we're missing here?
PHILLIPS: All right. Still a lot of more tests to be done.
COHEN: Yes.
PHILLIPS: OK. We'll continue to check in with you, then.
COHEN: OK. Thanks.
PHILLIPS: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 22, 2003 - 14:54 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we were going to talk weight loss and diets with Elizabeth Cohen, but that has changed quickly. This just in to CNN. We are told a doctor that works with the CDC, suspected case of SARS. I can't -- I think everybody's sort of -- what the? -- with this story.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, because this doctor had an expertise in infection control. That's why they sent him to Taiwan, where they're having a serious SARS problem and he then apparently, or is suspected of developing SARS there and the CDC is so worried about him that they're putting him on an air ambulance and sending him to an Atlanta hospital which has been -- which has been prepared for the arrival of a SARS patient.
Let me tell you a little bit about what happened. This doctor, whose name is not being released, on Monday, this past Monday, developed a low-grade fever. He had been in Taiwan for a couple of days. He had been in the hospital where there are SARS patients and had taken all the precautions that he was supposed to take, according to the CDC.
The CDC says he wore the gloves, he wore the gown, he wore the masks, he wore everything that he was supposed to wear, but then on Monday he developed a low-grade fever. Then the fever went away and on Tuesday we are told that he mingled with other people in his hotel, but then the fever returned and it was accompanied by a cough. A fever and a cough are the telltale signs of SARS. It doesn't absolutely mean that he has SARS, but it means that he is now a suspected case of SARS.
Three CDC members who were with him took care of him. They are now quarantined. They're in good health, but they are now quarantined. This man has been isolated and all four will be on their way back here to Atlanta.
PHILLIPS: Now this is an expert. You would think this doctor would know how to avoid this. What happened?
COHEN: Well, that's what makes this so scary. If indeed he does have SARS, the big question will be -- and it will be the CDC that investigates this -- is how the heck did he get SARS when he knew everything that he was supposed to be doing. If indeed he does have SARS, this may make the CDC rethink, Gee, have we told every one to do everything? Is there something we're missing here?
PHILLIPS: All right. Still a lot of more tests to be done.
COHEN: Yes.
PHILLIPS: OK. We'll continue to check in with you, then.
COHEN: OK. Thanks.
PHILLIPS: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
