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2003-11 AdvisoryUpdate #8 - Severe Acute Respiratory SyndromeAs of March 23, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of eleven individuals who have become ill with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Ontario and British Columbia. These cases have either recently traveled to Hong Kong or have had close contact with these individuals. The details of the cases to date are as follows:
At this time, the cause of SARS remains unknown, however national and international laboratory testing and collaboration is ongoing. Here are the most recent developments: Health Canada issued a revised Travel Advisory on March 23. The overall risk for travellers appears to be low at this time. However, because of recent increases in cases of SARS in the City of Hanoi, Vietnam; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Singapore and that transmission may not be limited to the hospital setting, Health Canada advises that persons planning elective or nonessential travel to the City of Hanoi, Vietnam; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Singapore may wish to postpone their trips until further notice. Because of unverified reports of sporadic cases occurring in Guangdong Province in China and ongoing uncertainty regarding the extent of the problem, Health Canada also advises that persons planning elective or non-essential travel to Guangdong Province, China, may wish to postpone their trips until further notice. Travellers are advised that they will have to depend upon the local medical services in the countries where they reside or visit and are reminded that the health care services may be inadequate for the appropriate management of SARS. Health Canada has been informed that adequate hospital care for a traveller who comes down with SARS in the City of Hanoi may not be available due to closure of the only adequate hospital in that City. In addition, medical evacuation of a patient with SARS may be very difficult. Canadian Missions may not be able to assist Canadians with SARS with medical transportation out of the region or back to Canada. Thus, travellers may wish to defer all non-essential travel to this City. Scientists at Health Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg are now able to report that they have found evidence of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in specimens from six of the eight cases they are studying. The metapneumovirus is part of paramyxoviridae family. These findings are consistent with the results previously released by scientists in Germany and Hong Kong. The findings of the National Microbiology Laboratory are significant in that a common thread has been found in a majority of cases in Canada. This is a promising step in the ongoing investigation. Scientists will continue their work to try to verify the findings and to determine if there are other factors involved that are influencing the severity of this outbreak. Paramyxoviruses can be responsible for mumps, measles, pneumonia and the common cold. The metapneumovirus was only recently identified in humans. It causes respiratory symptoms that are not usually as severe as those evidenced in the current outbreak. To date there are no antiviral medications that have been developed specifically to treat metapneumovirus. These findings will not likely alter the current treatment for SARS patients. Health Canada has initiated the following activities:
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. The information contained in this update is based on the best available information Health Canada has at this time. 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 (March 15, 2003) Health Canada
Travel Advisory (March 23, 2003) |
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Last Updated: 2005-02-23 | ![]() |