Are we safe from virus?

A few days in Hong Kong to watch an international rugby competition seemed like a good idea at the time but now Gareth Williams is spending the next week looking out for signs of a cough or a headache.

Although he knew about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), the bug that was spreading among the population in the Far East, he was told as long as he was careful not to come into contact with any sufferers, he should be okay.

While Mr Williams, 41, was in Hong Kong, the World Health Organisation (WHO), closely followed by the British Government, issued a warning advising people not to travel to the area because of the increasing number of cases.

He said: "It was quite strange over there as there were a lot of people wearing masks. I would say about 60 to 70 per cent of the people I saw were wearing them, including airport staff, shop keepers and restaurant staff.

"The news was dominated by the Sars virus. The war in Iraq was well down on the agenda."

When Mr Williams, from Horsham, was on the plane home he was given a check list giving details of symptoms to look out for and advice about the virus.

He said: "While out there we were caught up in what we were doing. It was only when we were coming back that we thought about how serious it all was."

Mr Williams, married with four children, called the NHS Direct helpline when he got back to find out whether there was anything he should be doing.

He said: "They asked if I had been in close contact with people who were suffering or whether anyone had coughed or sneezed around me and as nothing like that had happened they said I should be okay.

"I feel absolutely fine but I am not taking any risks and am stopping myself from getting too close to people until the incubation period is over. I was told if nothing developed after ten days I would be okay."

Professor Jon Cohen, Dean of Brighton and Sussex Medical School, is internationally renowned for his work on infectious diseases.

He said: "People should only be concerned if they are planning to travel to areas that have been affected or have recently returned."

Work is continuing to establish exactly what Sars is but Prof Cohen said it appeared to be a mutated form of a coronavirus.

He said: "This type of virus is common and usually can lead to coughs and colds but in this case, for some reason, it has become virulent.

"It is too early to say what has triggered it or why it has mutated in this way.

"There are problems with treating it. Part of the reason is because it is a virus rather than a bacteria. There are more anti-bacterial drugs at our disposal than anti-viral ones."

He said the virus was respiratory and more likely to spread if a person was in very close contact with someone who had contracted it.

He said: "It would probably not spread if you pass someone on the street, brush against them or shake their hand. It appears many of those seriously affected have been healthcare workers who have been in close contact with patients.

"There is no reason for anyone to be concerned and health professionals have full details about its signs and symptoms.

"There is a capacity for the virus to spread, as we have seen. That is one of the consequences of global travel."

Sars has been nicknamed the Asian Flu Virus because its early symptoms include high fever, dry cough, breathing difficulties, chills and headaches. Patients usually go on to develop pneumonia and four per cent die.

It is believed the number of cases have not yet peaked.

There are no suspected cases of Sars in Sussex but health officials are warning people to be on their guard.

Public health officials and communicable diseases consultants in Brighton and Hove and in East and West Sussex have had a steady stream of calls from people concerned about the virus.

They are mainly from people planning to travel to Hong Kong or who have friends, relatives or colleagues there who are waiting to return.

Hove GP Xavier Nalletamby said he had a couple of calls from people who had been planning to travel to Hong Kong and wanted to know more about the bug.

He said: "They wanted to know what the risks were because they had been told by their travel agency to wear a face mask while out there."

Health officials say public health measures have contained the spread so far in the UK.

Public Health Minister Hazel Blears said: "We, along with the Health Protection Agency and the WHO, continue to monitor this situation very carefully and advise the public and profession accordingly."

There are some fears that Chinese students travelling to the Far East may spread the virus on their return.

There are at least 200 Chinese students studying in Sussex and many are expected to go home during the Easter holidays.

The UK Council for Overseas Student Affairs (UKCOSA), has warned them not to travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Universities and colleges are generally relaxed about the potential threat of the virus spreading among students but are advising them about the WHO's recommendations.

There are 101 students from China and Hong Kong studying at Sussex University.

University spokesman Peter Simmons said: "We have a 24-hour sick bay so if anyone has any problems we can respond very quickly.

"We are well equipped to deal with any problems and have action plans in place for such a crisis if one were to occur."

At Brighton University, where there are 52 students from Hong Kong and 61 from China, no advice had been given to students before they broke up for Easter.

However a spokesman said all of them would be warned of the dangers of travelling to Hong Kong when they returned on April 22.

Worthing College has 16 students from China and one from Singapore, most of whom stay with host families in Sussex. It is possible some will have gone home to visit relatives during Easter.

Marketing co-ordinator Val Feldwick said while none of the students came from areas at a specific risk from Sars, all had been warned against travelling to the region.

Clive Saville, an adviser at UKCOSA, said: "We have passed on the advice issued by the Government, not only to stop students contracting Sars but because many weren't aware that if they did go to Hong Kong they would be screened on departure and might not be able to get back into the UK."

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said it was encouraging members and travellers to follow government advice.

It said while the advice was in place, passengers travelling on package holidays with ABTA tour operators were entitled to an alternative holiday or a refund.

Anyone with concerns can get more details by calling the NHS Direct helpline on 0845 4647 or going to www.phls.co.uk for updates.