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2003-11 AdvisoryUpdate #37 - Severe Acute Respiratory SyndromeNew in this update:Latest Canadian Numbers on SARSAs of April 23, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of 330 probable or suspect cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Canada. There have been 16 deaths in Canada. To date, transmission has been limited to specific transmission settings such as households, hospitals and specific community settings. The information contained in this update is based on the information available to Health Canada at this time. The details of the cases to date are as follows:
So far, 127 people have been discharged from hospitals in Ontario. These people were treated as suspect cases or as probable cases. These numbers are accurate as of 1:00 pm. Eastern Daylight Saving Time, April 23, 2003. For specific information on the provincial numbers, please contact the appropriate provincial health department. Health Canada Reaction to WHO Travel AdvisoryOn April 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) extended its recommendation to postpone non-essential travel to include Toronto. Health Canada does not support the WHO's position; it is safe to travel to Toronto. We have a clear understanding of the specific settings in which this virus has been transmitted in Canada and confidence in the steps being taken to manage infection control. A CDC travel alert provides a more accurate assessment of the situation in Canada. It states that: "Currently, all cases in Toronto are linked to Toronto's original index case and spread has been through person-to-person contact. SARS transmission in Toronto has been limited to a small number of hospitals, households, and specific community settings." Health Canada will be formally challenging the WHO's assertion that Toronto is an unsafe place to visit through a letter to be sent today to the WHO. Health Canada Investigation with Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention They will be assisting Health Canada officials as they spend time in hospitals in Toronto, gathering information in order to compare the circumstances surrounding those who were infected to those not infected. Health Canada and the CDC will report as soon as possible, outlining the probable cause of the transmission among health-care workers and recommendations for additional measures that may be taken to prevent further spread. Protecting Canada's Blood SupplyHealth Canada issued formal direction to blood operators on April 10, 2003, as a precaution, to protect the blood supply in Canada and recipients from the possible threat of SARS. Although there is currently no evidence of transmission of SARS through blood and blood components, Health Canada has directed blood operators, to temporarily defer from donating blood (for a period of 10 days) from persons who have:
Health Canada has requested that provincial public health officials, when investigating possible SARS cases, ask whether the individual has donated blood. If the individual has donated blood within 10 days prior to the first day of symptoms such as fever, public health officials are asked to notify Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec. The donor's blood and blood products will be withdrawn from the inventory. Information for Travelers ExpandedSince Thursday, April 10th, as an added precautionary measure, Health Canada has arranged for in-flight distribution of the yellow health alert card by flight attendants to passengers on all direct flights from Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing. Flight attendants will also ask passengers to fill out a traveller tracing form (also known as content information cards) that will enable health authorities to contact passengers over a two-week period after their arrival in Canada, if necessary. These forms must be filled out before clearing customs. This in-flight distribution will also be expanded to direct flights from other Asian destinations in the near future. Most Recent Travel Advisory InformationFor further information on Health Canada's travel advice, please see: Health Canada Support for Ontario
Health Canada's SARS Screening Initiative at Pearson Airport
Additional Key Health Canada Activities to date
Health Canada will continue to do everything it can to keep Canadians informed and will continue to work with the provinces and territories so that medical officers are fully informed and appropriate steps are taken to mitigate risk. For additional information on SARS, please contact Health Canada's information line at: 1-800-454-8302. For information on previous travel advisories to South East Asia issued by Health Canada and the World Health Organization, please see the following links: World
Health Organization issues emergency travel advisory (April 2, 2003) Health Canada Travel Advisory (April 23, 2003) For Media Enquiries:
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Last Updated: 2005-02-23 | ![]() |