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2003-11
March 16, 2003
Advisory
Update #1 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
As of March 16, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of seven 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:
- Ontario: In a single family, 3 people have been hospitalized with severe
pneumonia of unknown cause, 2 other members have died. In addition, another
individual with close contact has been hospitalized.
- British Columbia: one person has been hospitalized with SARS.
- There had been reports of an additional case in Ontario, however, it is
now known that this individual has a different medical condition.
At this time, the cause of SARS remains unknown, however national and international
laboratory testing and collaboration is ongoing. In addition, Health Canada
has initiated the following activities:
- In collaboration with the provinces, territories, and local health units,
Health Canada has begun enhanced surveillance for the recognition of SARS
cases.
- In addition, officials at Pearson & Vancouver International Airports
have been contacted to activate protocols to track potentially infected passengers.
Health Canada staff have been sent to those airports to assist in the management
of these passengers.
- As well, Health Canada is working towards distributing Health Alert Notices
to international passengers arriving in or returning directly to Canada from
Hong Kong. These cards will advise passengers of the occurrence of SARS and
how to recognize symptoms; they include a fever over 38.0 degrees Celsius
AND one or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, shortness of
breath or difficulty breathing.
- Samples from Ontario and B.C. have been sent to Health Canada's National
Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg to conduct tests in an effort to
determine the cause of the pneumonia-like cases. As results become available,
the NML will convey the results to the attending physicians.
For information on 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 
Health Canada
Travel Advisory (March 16, 2003)
For Media Enquiries:
Emmanuel Chabot
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
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