SARS
World Health Organization issues emergency travel advisory
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Spreads Worldwide
15 March 2003 | GENEVA -- During the past week, WHO has received reports of more than 150 new suspected cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an atypical pneumonia for which cause has not yet been determined. Reports to date have been received from Canada, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Early today, an ill passenger and companions who travelled from New York, United States, and who landed in Frankfurt, Germany were removed from their flight and taken to hospital isolation.
There is presently no recommendation for people to restrict travel to any destination. However in response to enquiries from governments, airlines, physicians and travellers, WHO is now offering guidance for travellers, airline crew and airlines. The exact nature of the infection is still under investigation and this guidance is based on the early information available to WHO.
All travellers should be aware of main symptoms and signs of SARS which include:
Suspect Case
A person presenting after 1 Feb 2003 with history of :
- high fever (greater than 38 degree Celcius)
AND
- one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
AND one or more of the following:
- close contact* with a person who has been diagnosed with SARS
- recent history of travel to areas reporting cases of SARS
*Close contact means having cared for, having lived with, or having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of a person with SARS.
