[ZT] Health Canada
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Guangdong Province - Update
Health Canada continues to monitor cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the Peoples Republic of China. Two confirmed cases and one suspected case have been reported from Guangdong province.
A joint team including the World Health Organization and China’s Ministry of Health is continuing the investigation on the potential human, animal and environmental sources of the infection.
To date, three cases have been reported. The first case, a 32-year old man, was reported on January 6. This patient has fully recovered and has since been released from hospital.
A second case, a 20-year old woman who worked at a restaurant in Gangzhou - the provincial capital, has now been confirmed as having contracted the SARS virus by the World Health Organization. The patient is currently in stable condition. To date, 48 close contacts and 52 social contacts of the patient have been identified. None of the contacts have reported any signs or symptoms of the illness.
A suspected case, a 35-year old male in hospital since January 6, is also in stable condition in the hospital. Twelve close contacts and 12 social contacts have been identified and are all currently in good condition at this point.
At present, no epidemiological evidence has linked the two confirmed cases or the suspected case. The possible source of exposure in all cases is under investigation.
Source: World Health Organization
Recommendations
Health Canada is aware that health authorities in China are actively responding to these incidents and are working collaboratively with the WHO. Health Canada does not recommend any travel restrictions.
While the data is limited, there has been reference to the possible role of wild animals as reservoirs for the SARS coronavirus (SARS CoV) and as such, until more information is available and as a precautionary measure, it would be prudent for travellers to avoid wild animal markets in China, especially contact with palm civets, racoon-dogs and Chinese ferret badgers. Additional information on the possible link to animals is available on the Travel Medicine Program web site.
Canadian travellers are reminded to practice good personal hygiene (e.g., good hand-washing practices) while travelling. Disease-causing micro-organisms can frequently be found on the hands. Hand-washing is the single most important procedure for preventing infections. Travellers are recommended to wash hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
Health Canada routinely recommends that Canadian travellers consult their personal physician or a travel medicine clinic for an individual risk assessment prior to travelling outside of Canada.
Health Canada recommends as well, that should travellers become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada, they should seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should Inform their physician without being asked, that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.
For more information on severe acute respiratory syndrome, please visit Health Canada’s SARS Web site.
For information regarding the possible link to animals, please visit the Travel Medicine Program Web site.
For World Health Information regarding these incidents, please visit the World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/tmp-pmv/pub_e.html
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Guangdong Province - Update
Health Canada continues to monitor cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the Peoples Republic of China. Two confirmed cases and one suspected case have been reported from Guangdong province.
A joint team including the World Health Organization and China’s Ministry of Health is continuing the investigation on the potential human, animal and environmental sources of the infection.
To date, three cases have been reported. The first case, a 32-year old man, was reported on January 6. This patient has fully recovered and has since been released from hospital.
A second case, a 20-year old woman who worked at a restaurant in Gangzhou - the provincial capital, has now been confirmed as having contracted the SARS virus by the World Health Organization. The patient is currently in stable condition. To date, 48 close contacts and 52 social contacts of the patient have been identified. None of the contacts have reported any signs or symptoms of the illness.
A suspected case, a 35-year old male in hospital since January 6, is also in stable condition in the hospital. Twelve close contacts and 12 social contacts have been identified and are all currently in good condition at this point.
At present, no epidemiological evidence has linked the two confirmed cases or the suspected case. The possible source of exposure in all cases is under investigation.
Source: World Health Organization
Recommendations
Health Canada is aware that health authorities in China are actively responding to these incidents and are working collaboratively with the WHO. Health Canada does not recommend any travel restrictions.
While the data is limited, there has been reference to the possible role of wild animals as reservoirs for the SARS coronavirus (SARS CoV) and as such, until more information is available and as a precautionary measure, it would be prudent for travellers to avoid wild animal markets in China, especially contact with palm civets, racoon-dogs and Chinese ferret badgers. Additional information on the possible link to animals is available on the Travel Medicine Program web site.
Canadian travellers are reminded to practice good personal hygiene (e.g., good hand-washing practices) while travelling. Disease-causing micro-organisms can frequently be found on the hands. Hand-washing is the single most important procedure for preventing infections. Travellers are recommended to wash hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
Health Canada routinely recommends that Canadian travellers consult their personal physician or a travel medicine clinic for an individual risk assessment prior to travelling outside of Canada.
Health Canada recommends as well, that should travellers become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada, they should seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should Inform their physician without being asked, that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.
For more information on severe acute respiratory syndrome, please visit Health Canada’s SARS Web site.
For information regarding the possible link to animals, please visit the Travel Medicine Program Web site.
For World Health Information regarding these incidents, please visit the World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/tmp-pmv/pub_e.html
