Saying that the prompt actions of the Philippine Government show that effective mechanisms are in place to fight SARS, Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert reassured the public that the Department of Foreign Affairs has maintained its SARS contingency plans and is ready to implement them if necessary.  “I would like to congratulate the DOH and the medical and health community for their timely response on the latest suspected SARS case.  Their prompt action shows that the mechanisms that are in place are working well.  On our part, the Department continues to maintain its vigilance and will implement existing contingency plans should the need arise,” Secretary Albert said.  These plans were drawn up during the last SARS crisis and have been continuously updated.

The Department of Health on Wednesday cleared the domestic helper from Hong Kong of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Results of the antibody tests carried out by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) showed that M.D., 42, had atypical pneumonia caused by bacterial infection.

The Secretary said that the Department’s contingency plans include assisting overseas Filipino nationals who might have SARS, cooperating with other countries and international organizations in fighting SARS, and keeping the diplomatic community formally updated on the true situation in the Philippines. “I will make sure that there will be no travel advisories issued against the Philippines,” the Secretary said.  She recalled that she was placed in charge of briefing the diplomatic community earlier this year on the SARS situation in the Philippines.

“Upon instructions of Secretary Blas F. Ople, last March I briefed the diplomatic corps on the SARS situation in the Philippines with the assistance of Director Concordia Lim-Quizon, head of the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health. Such a briefing helped ensure the withdrawal of travel advisories against the Philippines.  We will continue to formally inform the diplomatic community of the true situation and to prevent any misunderstanding,” Secretary Albert said. END.