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2003-11
March 17, 2003
Advisory
Update #2 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
As of March 17, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of eight 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.
- Ontario: a separate, unrelated case with recent travel to Hong Kong has
also been hospitalized.
- British Columbia: one person has been hospitalized with SARS.
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.
- Health Canada has also asked officials at the Pearson and Vancouver International
Airports to carefully monitor passengers arriving from Hong Kong to see if
anyone has flu-like symptoms.
- As well, Health Canada expects to start distributing Health Alert Notices
to passengers arriving in or returning from Hong Kong starting Tuesday, March
18, which will ask passengers to see a physician if they begin to have any
symptoms related to SARS. These symptoms include a fever over 38.0 degrees
Celsius AND one or more of the following respiratory symptoms:
cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Health Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg is
presently conducting 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 (March 15, 2003) 
Health Canada
Travel Advisory (March 16, 2003)
For Media Enquiries:
Emmanuel Chabot
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
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