CDC Issues Toronto Travel Alert
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta said the virus has so far killed 229 people out of more than 3,900 probable cases.
CDC officials also said Americans must remain vigilant and careful when traveling to and from Toronto because the virus is now spreading there, even to medical workers who wear protection.
The CDC is issuing yellow alert cards to everyone when they leave Toronto International Airport.
“This is the message that says, ‘You've been someplace where SARS is a problem, and if you get sick, see your clinician,’” CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding said.
Gerberding said the Toronto travel alert was precautionary in nature.
”That health alert basically say, ‘No reason to stay home, but if you're going there, be aware that SARS is present in some settings in the community and you may wish to avoid the hospital environment or the health care environment,’” She said.
Officials said there is a 10-day period where travelers must be alert to SARS symptoms after being in a region where there is a possiblity of being exposed to the virus.
Symptoms of SARS –- also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome -- are similar to those of the flu, including fever, sore muscles and nausea.
Researchers said SARS is caused by a type of coronavirus, a group of viruses also responsible for some common colds.
There is no treatment for SARS.
Gerberding said she does not know why the United States has been so lucky so far with just one-tenth of one percent of the world’s probable cases or why the virus is suddenly spreading so far in Toronto.
“It's too soon to predict where it's going to go. We must be vigilant here.The last thing that we can do at this point in time is relax,” she said.
She, however, said she knows how easily people infected with the virus can spread it. CDC officials said they are asking possible patients to warn doctors ahead of their visit so that health officials have sufficient time to protect themselves.
“We are specifically advising travelers or others who know they've been in contact with SARS patients to not just show up in the doctor's office, but to call ahead,” Gerberding said.
The CDC and the U.S. State Department are continuing to advise people not to travel to mainland China and to Hong Kong, where most of the probable SARS cases are occurring. |
