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2003-11
March 19, 2003
Advisory
Update #4 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
As of March 19, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of nine 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, individuals
(2) with close contact with this family have 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:
- Health Canada issued a revised Travel Advisory on March 19. The overall
risk for travelers 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.
- 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.
- Health Canada has sent staff to Pearson and Vancouver International Airports
to support airport staff. Two individuals (one doctor and one nurse) have
been sent to each airport to help monitor passengers arriving from Hong Kong
for flu-like symptoms and to assist those who appear to be ill.
- They have started distributing Health Alert Notices to all passengers
arriving in or returning from Hong Kong 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 Workplace Health and Public Safety Programme is providing
advice to federal employers on occupational health and safety matters. Doctors
and nurses from Health Canada's Workplace Health and Public Safety Programme
were on site at the Pearson and Vancouver airports to provide information
sessions for federal employees. The Workplace Health and Safety Programme
has issued an advisory and has spoken to or met with representatives of a
number of federal departments to provide them with information and advice
they can use in determining what health and safety measures they deem appropriate
for their employees. Health Canada continues to provide employer departments
with the most current information and advice available on SARS.
- 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.
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 (March 15, 2003) 
Health Canada
Travel Advisory (March 16, 2003)
For Media Enquiries:
Emmanuel Chabot
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
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