SARS Situation Update and Continuing National Surveillance

5 September 2003

The World Health Organization (WHO) first alerted countries to the global threat of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in mid-March 2003. The last case of SARS worldwide was reported in China with onset of illness on 25 June 2003 (WHO, summary of SARS case by country). On 5 July 2003, the WHO announced that the last person-to-person chain of transmission had been broken. This new disease was successfully contained in less than four months.

The last reported case of SARS in Canada had onset of illness on 12 June 2003 and has since recovered. As of 5 September 2003, there remains one active case of SARS in Canada. This case had onset of illness on 25 May 2003 and is listed as improving. After more than two and a half months with no new cases and steadily declining numbers of active cases, Health Canada will cease publication of the regular "Canadian SARS Numbers" report.

Surveillance for SARS in the post-outbreak period will continue through enhanced surveillance programs in previously affected areas and increased vigilance nationwide. As well, Health Canada continues to monitor the situation internationally, through partnerships with the WHO and government agencies in other countries.

In Canada, surveillance of respiratory viruses is conducted year round. Ongoing reporting of this surveillance information is done through the FluWatch program. FluWatch reports are published weekly during the peak season (October-May) and once every two weeks during the remainder of the year. As with other respiratory illnesses of public health importance, SARS information is updated in Health Canada's FluWatch report when new developments occur.

For the most recent information about SARS and surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses, please visit the Flu Watch website.