Information
November 2003
SARS Screening Measures
Background
Since the SARS outbreak in the spring of 2003, Health Canada has been co-ordinating the
implementation of a number of traveller screening measures designed to both reduce the
spread of SARS and ensure all passengers are aware of action they can take - both domestically
and internationally - should they begin to experience symptoms of SARS.
Although there are no reported SARS cases anywhere in the world, Health Canada is maintaining
surveillance activities at Canada's airports including:
- Quarantine Officers at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton,
and Halifax international airports;
- Public education - an Infectious Diseases Brochure to be available at international
airports, in travel medicine clinics and through the Health Canada and Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade travel medicine web sites;
- Health monitoring of travellers;
- Protocols for dealing with sick passengers on airplanes and ships arriving in Canada
- dispatching where needed, quarantine officer boards the plane or ship and conducts
a health assessment on the sick individual;
- A plan for reactivation of other screening measures including thermal scanners and
Health Alert Notices within 24-48 hours if an infectious disease outbreak occurs.
Decision to adjust screening measures to address the current situation
This decision based on advice received from public health experts such as the Advisory
Committee on SARS and Public Health chaired by Dr. David Naylor. As well, global health
surveillance data from the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that there have
been no new cases of SARS anywhere in the world since June 2003. These changes are consistent
with the requirement of the WHO to remain vigilant.
Public Health responsibilities
Public health involves anticipation, readiness planning, careful monitoring and surveillance,
effective research and diagnosis, as well as quarantine systems and medical care to contain
an outbreak.
Canada will remain vigilant and continue to work in partnership with the WHO and other
international partners on global surveillance for infectious diseases and, if SARS or any
other infectious disease is detected anywhere in the world, the Government of Canada will
respond quickly.
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