Delhi may make SARS a notifiable disease

The Delhi government may declare the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome as a notifiable disease in a few days, official sources said on Friday.

In case of a notifiable disease, legal action can be taken against patients if they do not cooperate in treatment, which can lead to a public health hazard.

The proposal has the approval of the municipal commissioner and only the gazette notification is awaited, the sources said, adding it was likely to be done in two-three days. The Centre is also considering making SARS a notifiable disease.

As of now only three diseases -- plague, yellow fever and cholera -- have been clubbed as notifiable diseases. Delhi government at its own initiative had also declared tuberculosis and dengue as notifiable diseases.

Once SARS becomes notifiable, doctors will have to report all cases that they suspect as SARS to the municipal authorities, the sources said.

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