2003-11
March 27, 2003
6:30 pm

Advisory

Update #12 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

As of March 27, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of twenty-nine (29) individuals who have become ill with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Ontario and British Columbia. There have been three deaths in Canada. All Canadian cases have occurred in persons who have traveled to Asia or had contact with SARS cases in the household or in a health-care setting. The information contained in this update is based on the best available information Health Canada has at this time.

The details of the cases to date are as follows:

• Ontario: 28 total cases. To date, all cases have occurred in close family contacts of travelers returning from Hong Kong or in heath care workers who have cared for these cases.
• British Columbia: one person has been hospitalized with SARS after returning from travel in southeast Asia.

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:

Due to the mounting concern about transmission of the SARS agent in non-hospital and community settings in the City of Hanoi, Vietnam; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Guangdong Province in China; and Singapore, Health Canada recommends that persons planning to travel to these areas should defer all travel until further notice. Health Canada also recommends alternate routing be considered, when possible, if a traveller is transiting through Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; City of Hanoi, Vietnam; or Singapore. Health Canada is aware that health authorities in these affected areas are making concerted efforts to contain the spread of SARS in their populations. Given the uncertainties of the current situation, Health Canada believes it is prudent to await the outcome of national and international control measures before undertaking travel to these destinations.

For further information on this travel advisory, please see:
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2003/sars0326_e.html

Health Canada has deployed five epidemiologists to assist Toronto Public Health and the Ontario Ministry of Health with the investigation of SARS cases currently under investigation.The department has also provided guidelines for infection control and recommendations on actions for public health settings.

Health Canada is ready to respond to any requests for support from provinces and territories on the SARS issue.

Health Canada has initiated the following activities:

• Health Canada is providing epidemiological expertise and laboratory support to provinces/territories and hospitals involved in managing the SARS cases.
• Health Canada is chairing five Working Groups made up of federal/provincial/territorial and public health officials, as well as other community-based experts dealing with such issues as infection control, treatment guidelines and public health measures.
• Health Canada is in daily contact with the provinces and territories, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA).
• Health Canada has expanded Health Alert Notice distribution at major airports in Canada. In addition to distributing the notices at Pearson and Vancouver to all passengers arriving in or returning from Hong Kong and Singapore, these cards are now available at all airports that receive international flights from all destinations other than the United States. These Health Alert Notices 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 has also asked officials at the Pearson and Vancouver International Airports to carefully monitor passengers arriving from Hong Kong and Singapore to see if anyone has flu-like symptoms.
• Health Canada has sent staff to Pearson and Vancouver International Airports to support airport staff. Health professionals have been sent to each airport to help monitor passengers arriving on direct flights from Hong Kong and Singapore for flu-like symptoms and to assist those who appear to be ill.
• In collaboration with the provinces, territories, and local health units, Health Canada is leading enhanced surveillance activities for the recognition of SARS cases.
• Health Canada's Workplace Health and Public Safety Programme is providing advice to federal employers on occupational health and safety matters. Health professionals 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. They are available, at the employer's request, to provide sessions for federal employees at all airports that receive international flights from all destinations other than the United States. 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. It is Health Canada's position that Government of Canada workers are not considered to be at high risk of infection because of the limited contact with and proximity to the individuals. Therefore, Health Canada advises that the use of masks is not necessary. Health Canada continues to provide employer departments with the most current information and advice available on SARS.

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 26, 2003)

For Media Enquiries:
Emmanuel Chabot
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803