The following information and infection control recommendations are intended for Quarantine Officers working at Canadian airports which receive flights from areas experiencing outbreaks of SARS. Please be advised that as more information about the cause of this illness becomes available, the information provided below may change.

To minimize the risk of transmission of this disease in the airport setting the following actions are being taken:

1. Airline cabin crew on flights from World Health Organization affected areas are being advised to watch for the following symptoms in passengers on their flights: fever, coughing, difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath. They have received instructions on how to manage sick passengers, which includes the use of masks and notification of the airport authority in advance of arrival of the flight.
   
   
2. All well, passengers returning from World Health Organization affected areas will receive information regarding SARS, including what to do if they develop symptoms. You do not need to use special precautions or gloves or masks for your normal dealing with well passengers without any symptoms.

Infection control measures when dealing with sick passengers:

Hand washing is the most important hygiene measure in preventing the spread of infection.

Hands must be washed:

• After any direct contact with a passenger,
  
• Before contact with the next passenger,
  
• After contact with body fluids, secretions and excretions, such as saliva,
  
• After contact with items known or considered likely to be in touch with respiratory secretions (e.g. tissues, napkins, etc.)
• Plain soap may be used for routine hand washing.
  
• Waterless antiseptic hand rinses are an alternative to hand washing.
• When there is visible soiling, hands should be washed with soap and water before using waterless antiseptic hand rinses. If soap and water are unavailable, cleanse hands first with detergent-containing towelettes.

Protective Masks

• Passengers believed to be suspect cases should wear a surgical mask. The mask should have been provided during the flight. If the sick passenger is not wearing a mask, provide a mask and instruct the sick passenger on how to wear the mask appropriately.
  
• Quarantine Officers in close contact with the sick passenger should wear an N-95 or equivalent mask (preferrable) or surgical mask while providing services to the passengers they believe may be a suspect cases.
  
• Masks should be changed if they become moist, hard to breath in, physically damaged or visibly soiled.

Gloves

• Gloves (clean, non-sterile) may be used as an additional measure of protection, not as a substitute for hand washing.
  
• Gloves must be changed between passengers, if there is more than one suspect case on a flight.
  
• Gloves should not be reused or washed

For general information on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), please visit the Health Canada website at: www.sars.gc.ca or phone 1-800-454-8302.