Information for Professionals

Health Canada's Response to Reports of SARS cases in China (April 27, 2004)

On April 23rd, the WHO announced that individuals in China met WHO case definitions for probable SARS infections and other individuals were under investigation. The National Institute of Virology in Beijing is being investigated as the originating source of the outbreak. The institute has been engaged in research with the SARS coronavirus, including the development of a vaccine.

For updates on the SARS situation in China and worldwide, please consult the World Health Organization website .

Health Canada has alerted clinical, public health and laboratory professionals to heighten the vigilance for SARS detection in patients with severe respiratory illness (fever, cough and radiographic evidence of pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome), who in the 10 days prior to symptom onset.

• have traveled to mainland China
• have had close contact with a symptomatic person with a history of travel to mainland China
• have worked in a laboratory where SARS coronavirus is being handled.

Health professionals are alerted to the importance of collecting a travel and occupation history for symptomatic patients and contacts.

In situations where SARS is suspected:

• Enhanced respiratory and contact precautions are recommended . and appropriate isolation precautions should be used
• Patients should be promptly investigated and tested for SARS as per the laboratory guidelines.
• Local public health should be notified immediately for case investigation and contact tracing.
• Clinical guidelines are also available for case management .

Regular updates are communicated to our provincial and territorial public health, clinical and laboratory partners on SARS and other emerging severe respiratory illnesses.

Health Canada continues to maintain Quarantine Services at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal (Mirabel, Pierre Elliot Trudeau), Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Ottawa international airports.

Quarantine Officers continue to be at a heightened state of vigilance to respond quickly to a passenger with severe respiratory illness. As is normal procedure, quarantine officers will respond to reports of ill passengers on board.

Health Canada distributes Flu/SARS brochures at the international airport and has begun to proactively disseminate a SARS health alert notice to passengers arriving from East Asia at Vancouver and Toronto Pearson International airports. The notice asks passengers to be on the look out for symptoms of SARS and gives advice on seeking medical care as necessary.

Health Canada's Travel Medicine Program has issued a travel advisory (www.travelhealth.gc.ca) regarding the reported SARS outbreak. At this time, there are no travel restrictions for Canadians traveling to China.

Health Canada is monitoring this situation very closely and is working with its international partners to verify reports. Regular updates are communicated to our provincial and territorial partners as new information is obtained.