Stringent measures have been demanded of the government to prevent outbreak of SARS in the country.

Speakers made the demand at a roundtable discussion yesterday and expressed concern over the preparedness of preventing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), recently detected in India some South East Asian countries.

The roundtable on SARS epidemic and national preparedness was organised by the Shasthya Andolon (health movement). It was held at the Dhaka Community Hospital (DCH) auditorium yesterday with Prof Ahmed Kamal of Dhaka University in the chair.

They said the lackadaisical preparation the government has been taking is not at all adequate as far as this highly infectious disease is concerned. Moreover, as people have limited knowledge about it, it may spread quickly.

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Referring to the dengue outbreak in the country in 1999-2000, Professor Quazi Quamruzzaman, chairman of the DCH Trust said, "When dengue first appeared in the country we took it very casually. In fact, health officials initially ignored it. But eventually we experienced one of the worst outbreaks of dengue."

"SARS is even more threatening as it is an airborne disease. So it is time we prepared ourselves well in advance to interrupt any suspected case promptly, not only at Zia International Airport but at all entry points," added Prof Zaman.

Professor Mahmudur Rahman, coordinator of DCH, said, " We should prepare an official protocol for case management of SARS. All doctors, nurses and paramedics should know how to diagnose SARS and treat it."

"According to experts, the virus is a corona virus and is not found in nature. So the question arises whether any country had been developing it for bio-terrorism purposes," said Farhad Mazhar, managing director of UBINIG.

Farida Akhter, executive director of UBINIG, Prof. Mamunur Rashid of Institute of Public Health and Nutrition and others also took part in the hour-long discussion.