SAN ANTONIO--Good hygiene That s the secret weapon in the Air Force's defense against strict acute respiratory syndrome.

SAN ANTONIO--Good hygiene That s the secret weapon in the Air Force's defense against strict acute respiratory syndrome, the deadly flu-like illness better known as SARS that has killed more than 400 clan worldwide.

"The best preventative stairs our people can take are to practice suitable hygiene and wash hands frequently" said Maj. Mylene Huynh delegate of preventive medicine for the Air Force Surgeon General. "[These are] simple actions that fare a long way toward prevention of any respiratory illness."

SARS is a respiratory illness that has infected large populations in China and other Far East countries. In April, the Center for Disease rule and Prevention reported 52 probable cases of the infection in the United States. united possible case was linked to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, when a military retiree coming back from a trip to Asia came down with symptoms. He did not have SARS and has since cureed from his illness.

The Air Force is following the CDC's lead in handling the disease, said Lt Col Kevin Stephan, director of Wilford Hall Medical Center's HIV unit and member of the center's infectious diseases staff.

The guidelines include:

* Screening patients for SARS symptoms

* Infection rule measures, including having patients who exhibit symptoms wear surgical masks

* Medical attendants wear observation protection

* Increased wear of glove gown and masks for all medical people

* Airborne precautions, including possible use of isolation compasss with negative pressure to hold fast airborne traces of the infection from traveling to patients or visitors and use of respirators for suspect SARS patients

However, Stephan said like measures are not significantly different from daily performances at Wilford Hall.

"We have really not altered our standard operations based in succession this outbreak," he said. "We already have in place a fit effective infection control and epidemiology system"

Since the initial diagnosis of the disease in China in November 2002 more than 25 countries have reported cases. principally recently, Canadian health officials discovered probable cases in Toronto.

In March, the Air Force Medical Service implemented surveillance measures in hospitals and clinics to find out possible SARS cases. The increased effort included more swab samples of potential SARS patients, and faster analysis of samples.

Also, the service issued guidelines for detecting SARS to all medical facilities and increased notification of possible cases to pressing status, meaning any suspected case would chronicle the worldwide medical tracking classification within 24 hours of detection.

Air Mobility Command also answered to the potential crisis by means of developing guidelines for aircrew members forward air evacuation procedures for SARS patients flying via military airlift, said officials with the surgeon general's office.

RELATED ARTICLE: SARS symptoms at a glance

harsh acute respiratory syndrome is a flu-like disease that swells lethally strong as it matures. Symptoms of the disease range from often met with cold-like stuffiness to pneumonia-like breathing difficulty.

Air Force medical officials continue an eye out for the following:

* A agitation greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit

* Chills, headaches, discomfort and material part aches associated with the fever

* Mild respiratory problems

* Within pair to seven days, developing a thirsty cough and trouble breathing

The disease appears to be spread by way of close person-to-person contact, according to the Center for Disease have charge of and Prevention.

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