Maine investigates mystery illness cases

PORTLAND – Health officials are investigating two cases of suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome in Maine as the number of cases worldwide continues to rise.

The state Bureau of Health last week reported receiving six reports of suspected cases of the flulike illness. Four of those cases have been ruled out, said Geoff Beckett, assistant state epidemiologist.

Worldwide, 1,400 people are sick and more than 50 have died from severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which scientists believe is a new form of a virus that causes the common cold. Most reported cases have been in China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

In the United States, there are 59 suspected cases and no deaths.

Beckett said the two suspected cases in Maine involve a couple from the Lewiston-Auburn area. Beckett, who did not release their names, said the wife returned from Asia this month with mild respiratory symptoms and her husband then fell ill with a fever and cough.

Both are fully recovered.

“Right now, it’s entirely possible that these folks had something else, such as influenza or the common cold,” Beckett said. “The only reason they are being investigated is because of their travel history and the serious implications SARS has had elsewhere.”

Beckett said symptoms typically result within 10 days of exposure. In Maine, medical workers have been advised to ask patients about recent travel abroad or contact with people who have symptoms and have been abroad.

“We’re talking about a very limited group of people, but there is a fair amount of international travel these days, and this is a bad disease so the question has to be asked,” Beckett said.