Frequently Asked Questions
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Please find below some frequently asked questions about SARS.

Q. What is the Government of Canada doing in response to reports of cases of SARS in China?

A. Health Canada is aware of the reports of SARS cases in China. We have followed up with our global surveillance partners, such as the World Health Organization to obtain the most up to date information.

Health Canada and its partners continue to be at a heightened state of vigilance for severe respiratory illnesses, particularly given the current avian influenza (H7N3) strain circulating in British Columbia and the outbreak of H5N1 in Asia. We know that we have to be prepared, and vigilant, and so we have been taking appropriate actions to protect the health of Canadians.

We continue to provide ongoing, up to date information from Health Canada to our provincial and territorial partners on SARS, influenza, avian influenza, and other emerging severe respiratory illnesses.

Q. What traveller screening measures are in place in Canada?

A. Health Canada continues to maintain Quarantine Services at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal (Mirabel, Pierre Elliot Trudeau), Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Ottawa international airports to be able to respond quickly to a severe respiratory illness outbreak.

Health Canada has also developed a brochure on infectious diseases with information on personal protective measures for general infectious diseases, including SARS. This brochure is being used to educate people, particularly the travelling public, about infectious diseases, including SARS.

The brochure is available to incoming and departing passengers at eight airports in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Mirabel, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Ottawa) and through travel medicine clinics.

Q. Is Canada prepared for an infectious disease outbreak?

A. The events such as SARS, West Nile and influenza have shown us that infectious disease outbreaks continue to threaten our health. At the same time, we face a growing epidemic in obesity and inactivity - risk factors that can lead to chronic diseases. For all these reasons, governments have recognized that they need to do more on public health, to protect the health and lives of Canadians.

The strategy for strengthening Canada's public health system has three core elements:

• creating a new Public Health Agency of Canada;
• appointing a new Chief Public Officer for Canada; and
• working with the provinces and territories towards a Pan-Canadian Public Health Network.

More specifically, since the SARS outbreak in March 2003, Health Canada, in consultation with P/T public health officials and other national and international experts, has taken steps in the following areas to strengthen its capacity to respond to future infectious disease outbreaks:

• disease surveillance;
• infection control
• laboratories;
• partnering and collaboration; and
• emergency preparedness.

For more information, please see the fact sheet titled "Update: Health Canada Activities with Respect to SARS".

Q. Is it safe to travel to countries where SARS cases have been reported?

A. You can find timely information and advice to travellers under the "Information for Travellers" section of Health Canada's Travel Medicine Program web site.

Q. Where can I find information about what is happening in other countries?

A. Health Canada is monitoring the situation worldwide very closely.

Health Canada is in regular contact with the World Health Organization to obtain the most up to date information on the global situation of SARS. You will find information about SARS activity worldwide on the WHO website .

You can also find information on Health Canada's Travel Medicine Program web site.