SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) – A 19-year-old Syracuse University student who returned from a recent trip to Toronto with symptoms of the SARS virus was quarantined Tuesday at his home in a neighboring state.
Although the unidentified student had fully recovered from his illness, he will have to remain at home for 10 days. Health department officials said the chance the student was suffering from SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) was slim.
“We don’t see any particular concern,” Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Lloyd Novick said Tuesday. “… Anybody that has respiratory illness and a fever that comes back from Toronto can be regarded as a suspect SARS case.”
The university sent e-mails to all students to advise them of the situation.
and was closely monitoring people who came into contact with the quarantined student.
Fraternity friends who also went on the Toronto trip thought the precautions were unnecessary.
‘Ridiculous’
“It’s kind of ridiculous,” Daniel Beer said. “He was sick before we even went. It’s kind of hard not to have the symptoms.”
An estimated 4,000 people worldwide have been infected by SARS, and the World Health Organization reports at least 229 deaths, mostly in Asia.
The United States reports just 38 probable cases and no deaths.
Canadian authorities said hundreds of people in Toronto might have been exposed to SARS by two hospital employees who ignored orders to stay home after they showed symptoms.
Canada has reported 14 SARS deaths.
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