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2003-11 AdvisoryUpdate #78 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)NEW IN THIS UPDATE:Latest Canadian Numbers on SARS"Active" cases include those hospitalized, currently ill at home, or under investigation. ACTIVE SARS CASES IN CANADA
The changes in the case count and status of the SARS cases in the recent cluster in Ontario since yesterday are as follows: 7 new probable and 1 new suspect case have been identified, 3 suspect cases previously reported have been delisted, 1 suspect cases has been upgraded to probable. The most recent date of onset of illness is June 6, 2003. No new probable or suspect cases have been reported from other provinces and territories. As of June 11, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of 430 probable or
suspect cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Canada. There
have been 33 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.
Total # of probables discharged or at home: 141 These numbers are accurate as of 1:00 pm. Eastern Daylight Saving Time, June 11, 2003. For specific information on the provincial numbers, please contact the appropriate provincial health department. UPDATE: Health Canada's Assistance to WHO Investigation in Hong KongThe Health Canada team which led a WHO investigation into the spread of SARS in the Amoy Gardens (Hong Kong) has returned to Canada and will be submitting their final report to the WHO. After extensive environmental testing, the team, led by Dr. Heinz Feldmann of Health Canada's National Microbiology Lab, concluded that a combination of factors are probably responsible for the unusual spread of the virus. These factors include such things as dried out floor drain traps, exhaust fans which could have drawn contaminated droplets from the dry floor drains and into light wells, and flush water being shut down for a 16 hour period. In addition to Dr. Feldmann, Health Canada team members included Immo Tilgner of Workplace Health and Public Safety Program, and Allen Grolla and Ramon Flick of the National Microbiology Laboratory. A video link containing their presentation is available at: http://www.info.gov.hk/webbroadcast/pres335f-e.html Health Canada announces amendment to broaden case definition of probable cases of SARSOn 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. Health Canada Travel AdvisoriesHealth 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: 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: Backgrounder: Enhanced Screening Measures on SARSHealth 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, please consult the following link: LINKS:It's Your Health: Health Canada SARS Fact Sheet: Government of Canada measures to help the people of Toronto and Canada World Health Organization Adds Toronto to their "Affected Areas" List (May
26, 2003) Health Canada Statement on the Health Canada / U.S. CDC Preliminary Report
on the investigation into SARS spread to health-care workers: 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:
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Last Updated: 2005-02-23 |  |
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