New Delhi, Apr 08: Delhi government today said that no case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had been detected in the capital even as it reviewed its preparedness to meet any such eventuality at a high-level meeting here. "No case of this disease has been reported in the national capital territory of Delhi," Delhi health minister A K Walia told newsmen after meeting senior doctors and officials of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Medical Association and various hospitals.
He said that he had issued instructions for reservation of 30 beds in the infectious disease hospital and six beds each in Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital and Kalawati Saran Hospital for any patient suspected to be afflicted with SARS.

He, however, cautioned that breathing difficulties along with high fever and dry cough may not be taken lightly and anybody having such symptoms should immediately contact a doctor.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), high fever, dry cough, breathing difficulties are the main symptoms of the disease along with headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash and diarrhoea.

Walia said that the doctors in Delhi had been sensitised to the challenge.

Bureau Report