2003-11
June 20, 2003
4:00 pm

Advisory

Update #85 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

NEW IN THIS UPDATE:

• Latest Canadian Numbers on SARS
• Government of Canada Funding to Ontario to Fight SARS

Latest Canadian Numbers on SARS

For a daily report on the cumulative number of probable and suspect SARS case reports in Canada, as of June 20, 2003, please see the following link:

www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sars-sras/cn-cc/numbers.html

Government of Canada Funding to Ontario to Fight SARS

On June 19, the Government of Canada announced additional funding of $250 million to help the Province of Ontario in the fight against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), in recognition of Ontario's extraordinary effort to protect public health.

For further details on this announcement, please see the following news release:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2003/sars.htm

Details on the new amendment to the Quarantine Act and Regulations

On June 12, Health Canada announced the update of the Quarantine Act and Regulations to include new measures for dealing with SARS.

The Quarantine Act and Regulations help protect Canadians from dangerous and infectious diseases which might pose a threat to public health through the international movement of people, goods and conveyances (airplanes, ships, vehicles etc.).

To view the Quarantine Act and Regulation - SARS Amendment Fact Sheet

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.

For further information, please see the following link:
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sars-sras/sarscasedef_e.html

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: Global Activity

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.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sars-sras-gen/backgrounder2.html

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, please consult the following link:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sars-sras-gen/backgrounder_e.html

LINKS:

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

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)
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2003_05_26/en/

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

Press Conference on WHO Investigation - video link available at: www.info.gov.hk/webbroadcast/pres335f-e.html

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