Doctors in Seychelles have been asked to think of Sars whenever they are dealing with a patient who presents symptoms similar to those of the pneumonia-like condition.

Except for that additional precaution, the Ministry of Health is not taking or ordering any further measures against Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) at the moment.

The director general for disease prevention and control, Dr Patrick Herminie, said on Thursday September 11, when he announced that health authorities in Singapore have confirmed that the patient earlier suspected to be suffering from Sars indeed has the disease.

"The guidelines provided by the World Health Organisation say that one case ought not be considered as an epidemic," Dr Herminie said, adding that at least two cases affecting health workers or within a community were what would constitute an epidemic.

He nevertheless said that given the high level of preparedness that the ministry had reached in preparation for the possible occurrence of a case here, it was ready to combat any Sars-related situation that could present itself.

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