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American Morning
Mystery Illness
Aired March 17, 2003 - 08:47 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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We're paging Dr. Gupta this morning about a mysterious pneumonia-like illness that has federal health officials deeply concerned. It is called severe acute respiratory syndrome. So far, it's sickened more than 150 people in seven different countries, causing at least nine deaths.
Sanjay Gupta joins us from Atlanta with the details.
Good morning.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
Yes, they're calling it a worldwide health threat, and usually the first step in trying to figure out what's causing something like this is trying to figure out whether or not it's a bacteria, a virus or some other infectious agent. Still stumbling at that very first step. The best labs in the country, in the world really, are trying to figure out what exactly is causing this, have not been able to figure that out as of yet.
Back in World War II, a new type of pneumonia actually came around called micoplasma (ph) pneumonia. This was a little different than bacteria or a virus, and perhaps it's a new infectious agents like that altogether.
For people that are most concerned about it, the symptoms are a little bit more clear, as opposed to the infectious agent. The symptoms, a high fever, usually above 104, 101, around there, a cough, shortness of breath. But even more importantly, Paula, it seems to be localized to several countries around the world. People who have these symptoms, plus have traveled to some of these countries, Canada, China, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, all seem to be at the most risk.
Now, what we're hearing, again, is 150 people have been affected, nine people have died. Again, they've either had those symptoms to start and have traveled to those countries. Despite all that, Dr. Julie Gerberding (ph) from the CDC is urging caution. This is what she had to say:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. JULIE GERBERDING, CDC DIR.: There are a lot of illnesses this time of year, and we don't want people to be alarmed if they haven't been to one of the affected countries. Right now, it's either being there or taking care of somebody who has been ill with this illness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: And what they're urging is that nonessential travel to these countries, if you can avoid traveling to one of those seven countries, it's probably a good idea. They're also saying if you have these symptoms, the symptoms we listed, and have traveled to these countries, it may be a good idea to call your doctor -- Paula.
ZAHN: We have one on call 24 hours a day, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Thank you.
GUPTA: Yes. I'll be here for you. Take care. Bye-bye.
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 March 17, 2003 - 08:47 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We're paging Dr. Gupta this morning about a mysterious pneumonia-like illness that has federal health officials deeply concerned. It is called severe acute respiratory syndrome. So far, it's sickened more than 150 people in seven different countries, causing at least nine deaths.
Sanjay Gupta joins us from Atlanta with the details.
Good morning.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
Yes, they're calling it a worldwide health threat, and usually the first step in trying to figure out what's causing something like this is trying to figure out whether or not it's a bacteria, a virus or some other infectious agent. Still stumbling at that very first step. The best labs in the country, in the world really, are trying to figure out what exactly is causing this, have not been able to figure that out as of yet.
Back in World War II, a new type of pneumonia actually came around called micoplasma (ph) pneumonia. This was a little different than bacteria or a virus, and perhaps it's a new infectious agents like that altogether.
For people that are most concerned about it, the symptoms are a little bit more clear, as opposed to the infectious agent. The symptoms, a high fever, usually above 104, 101, around there, a cough, shortness of breath. But even more importantly, Paula, it seems to be localized to several countries around the world. People who have these symptoms, plus have traveled to some of these countries, Canada, China, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, all seem to be at the most risk.
Now, what we're hearing, again, is 150 people have been affected, nine people have died. Again, they've either had those symptoms to start and have traveled to those countries. Despite all that, Dr. Julie Gerberding (ph) from the CDC is urging caution. This is what she had to say:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. JULIE GERBERDING, CDC DIR.: There are a lot of illnesses this time of year, and we don't want people to be alarmed if they haven't been to one of the affected countries. Right now, it's either being there or taking care of somebody who has been ill with this illness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: And what they're urging is that nonessential travel to these countries, if you can avoid traveling to one of those seven countries, it's probably a good idea. They're also saying if you have these symptoms, the symptoms we listed, and have traveled to these countries, it may be a good idea to call your doctor -- Paula.
ZAHN: We have one on call 24 hours a day, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Thank you.
GUPTA: Yes. I'll be here for you. Take care. Bye-bye.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
