2003-11
May 30, 2003
4:00 pm

Advisory

Update #70 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

New in this update:

• Latest Canadian Numbers on SARS
• Health Canada announces amendment to broaden case definition of probable cases of SARS
• Backgrounder: Enhanced Screening Measures on SARS

Latest Canadian Numbers on SARS

Please note that the next version of the Latest Canadian Numbers on SARS will be posted on Monday, June 2.

"Active" cases include those hospitalized, currently ill at home, or under investigation.

ACTIVE SARS CASES IN CANADA

As of May 30, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of 381 probable or suspect cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Canada. There have been 30 deaths in Canada. To date, transmission has been limited to specific transmission settings such as households, hospitals and specific community settings. The information contained in this update is based on the information available to Health Canada at this time.

The details of the cases to date are as follows:

• Ontario is reporting 184 probable (43 active) and 134 suspect (13 active) cases.
• British Columbia is reporting 4 probable (0 active) and 46 suspect (2 active) cases.
• Saskatchewan is reporting 1 suspect (0 active) case.
• New Brunswick is reporting 2 suspect cases (0 active).
• Alberta is reporting 6 suspect cases (0 active).
• Prince Edward Island is reporting 4 suspect cases (0 active).

Total # of probables discharged or at home: 116
Total # of suspects discharged or at home: 177

These numbers are accurate as of 1:00 pm. Eastern Daylight Saving Time, May 30, 2003. For specific information on the provincial numbers, please contact the appropriate provincial health department.

Health Canada announces amendment to broaden case definition of probable cases of SARS

On May 29, Health Canada announced that Canada is aligning its clinical description of symptoms and signs of SARS with that of the WHO.

We are moving from a definition of "severe progressive respiratory illness suggestive of atypical pneumonia or acute respiratory syndrome (RDS) with no known cause" to "radiographic evidence in infiltrates consistent with pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome on chest x-ray with no known cause that can fully explain the illness."

In order to clarify some confusion around how we define the symptoms and signs of SARS, Health Canada has been discussing possible alternatives to our case definition with the World Health Organization (WHO) and our provincial and territorial partners.

A revised case definition for probable and suspect cases will not make a difference in the way cases are treated nor how cases are identified. Cases that are suspect or under investigation have always required appropriate treatment or attention.

The WHO and provincial and territorial officials have been apprised of the new definition.

World Health Organization Adds Toronto to their "Affected Areas" List

On May 26, the WHO added Toronto to their list of areas with recent local transmission of SARS. At present, the WHO is not recommending any restrictions on travel to Toronto.

Health Canada officials are in regular and frequent contact with the WHO to keep them fully informed of the situation in Canada.

Health Canada is concerned about the situation in Toronto, and continues to provide support to the province of Ontario to investigate the origins of these new cases.

For more information on the WHO's announcement, please see the following link:
www.who.int/csr/don/2003_05_26/en/

Health Canada Travel Advisories

Health Canada has issued a number of travel advisories to keep Canadian travellers informed regarding travel to affected areas.

For further information on Health Canada's travel advice, please see:

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in the People's Republic of China including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Taiwan

Domestic Travel Health Advice: SARS in Toronto

Government of Canada action to contain the effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Since the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Canada, the Government of Canada has taken swift action on a number of fronts to protect the health of those who live in Canada -- as well as those who visit, and to help Canadians affected by the non-medical consequences of the outbreak.

For more information, please consult the following link:
www.pm.gc.ca/default.asp?Language=E&Page=newsroom&Sub=
NewsReleases& Doc=sarsaction.20030502_e.htm

Backgrounder: Enhanced Screening Measures on SARS

Health Canada's enhanced measures build on a number of steps already taken regarding air travel since late March to help prevent the further importation and spread of SARS.

For more information about this letter, please see the following link:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/minister/events.html#1a

LINKS:

It's Your Health: Health Canada SARS Fact Sheet:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/diseases/sars.html

Government of Canada measures to help the people of Toronto and Canada

Health Canada Statement on the Health Canada / U.S. CDC Preliminary Report on the investigation into SARS spread to health-care workers:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2003/sars_statement.htm

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 consult Health Canada's SARS web site at www.sars.gc.ca, or call the Health Canada SARS information line at: 1-800-454-8302.

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