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Alerts Provided by
Sars News Online
[Alert ] CANADA (Security Rating: 2), SARS Update: The most recent SARS outbreak in Toronto, Canada appears to be under control as the number of active cases, both probable and suspected, has declined daily since June 7. All recent probable cases have been traced to exposures within healthcare facilities in the Toronto area. The most recent potential date of exposure at a healthcare site under investigation for SARS is June 9. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Toronto as an area with the most serious, "C", level of local transmission of SARS. Beijing, China is the only other area of the world in this category. However, neither the WHO nor the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise against travel to Toronto as of June 18. As of June 18, authorities in Canada are reporting 36 active probable SARS cases and six active suspected cases. All are from the Toronto area. The most recent date of onset is June 12. Health Canada reported a cumulative total of 438 probable or suspected cases of SARS and 34 deaths since the outbreak began. All probable cases were reported from the provinces of either Ontario (241 cases) or British Columbia (four cases).
6/18/03
[Alert-INFO] WORLDWIDE (Security Rating: NR) WHO Lifts Travel Advisories: The worldwide SARS outbreak has improved significantly over the past month, and on June 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) lifted the travel advisory for Taiwan, making Beijing the only destination to which the WHO advises against travel. Also on June 17, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped its travel advisory for all areas of Mainland China other than Beijing. The U.S. CDC now advises against travel to only Beijing and Taiwan. SARS affected areas, as defined by the WHO, now include only Beijing, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Toronto, Canada. Of these four areas, only Beijing is thought by the WHO to have community transmission of SARS that might pose a threat to travelers. The WHO continues to recommend screening passengers leaving all four areas for symptoms of SARS. |
