Justice issues rules for handling SARS detainees

WASHINGTON – To avoid the spread of the deadly SARS superflu, it is not necessary “at this time” to restrict the movement of detained illegal immigrants who may have come in contact with suspected SARS patients in U.S. custody, advises a new Justice Department memo, a copy of which was obtained by WorldNetDaily.

Yet the same internal memo, dated May 2, warns customs and immigration officers to “avoid contact with the person’s bodily fluids and secretions by wearing gloves and eye protection,” as well as a “tight-fitting mask.” It also notes the China-born disease’s “very high” death rate.

The seemingly conflicting recommendations are part of guidelines issued to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for managing the highly contagious virus at federal detention facilities and jails.

ICE, the acronym for the organization merging the enforcement branches of U.S. Customs and INS, is in the process of being absorbed by the newly formed Homeland Security Department.

“Suspected SARS patients should not be released or removed” from federal detention facilities, said the memo issued to ICE regional and district directors.

However, “It is not recommended at this time that movement of other detainees be restricted in the event that a suspected SARS case is identified in ICE custody,” it added.

That is, other detainees can be released or removed.

At the same time, the memo warns that symptoms from SARS can “become very severe quickly and develop into pneumonia.”

“At times breathing has required mechanical support in an intensive care unit to prevent death,” it said. “Despite efforts of doctors providing care to these victims, the death rate has been very high.”

In handling a suspected SARS detainee, the memo instructs detention officers, among other things, to:

• “Immediately place a tight-fitting mask on patient and officer. An N-95 [3M respirator] mask is preferred; if an N-95 mask is not available, a tight-fitting surgical mask may be used.”

• “Avoid unprotected direct contact with the person’s bodily fluids and secretions, by wearing gloves and eye protection.”

• “If hands are not heavily soiled, use of alcohol-based handrubs is recommended. If these are not available or if hands are soiled, wash hands thoroughly with soap (anti-microbial-containing soaps are preferred) and hot water for at least 20 seconds after contact with patient.”
• “Notify family physician about contact with suspected SARS patient.”

• “Monitor yourself for symptoms for at least 10 days.”

Also, the memo notes that “people affected are primarily from China.”

ICE spokesman Bill Anthony says Los Angeles International Airport gets the most traffic from “SARS hotspots,” such as Hong Kong and Beijing, although in recent years more and more undocumented Chinese immigrants have flocked to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago to enter the U.S. Federal detention facilities in both cities hold a large number of Chinese nationals.

“It is recommended that if a suspected SARS case is identified while in ICE custody, all detainees and staff in the facility should be educated of the symptoms and signs of SARS,” the Justice memo says. “Detainees should report any onset of SARS symptoms to a detention officer. Staff should report any onset of SARS symptoms to their supervisor and to their personal physician.”

The memo briefs officers on SARS symptoms.

“ICE officers in the field, contract facilities and ports of entry should be aware a suspected case of SARS includes the following:

“A person presenting with one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• “Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Cough
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Radiographic findings of pneumonia. AND
• Fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher. AND one or more of the following:
• Close contact within 10 days of onset of symptoms with a person suspected of having SARS.
• Travel within 10 days of onset of symptoms to one of the areas below:
  – China (Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China)
  – Hanoi, Vietnam
  – Singapore
  – Toronto, Canada”

The document also states SARS is an illness of “unknown etiology,” or cause, with onset since Feb. 1, 2003.

Previous stories:

Did SARS mutate from duck, pig feces?

Chinese aliens flock to O’Hare

Airport inspectors: SARS detentions not authorized

SARS epidemic ‘China’s Chernobyl’