FACT SHEET:
SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS)
The U.S. Department of State wishes to encourage Americans citizens traveling or residing abroad to familiarize themselves with the information available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A March 17 CDC announcement recommends that people with elective or non-essential travel to Hong Kong SAR, Guangdong Province (China), and Hanoi, Vietnam consider postponing such travel. Currently, there is no evidence suggesting that infection is spread in assemblages of large numbers of people (e.g. schools, churches, or other non-health care settings). The Department of State notes that in Vietnam, the appearance of SARS has had a major impact on medical facilities, with the closing and quarantine of the French Hospital in Hanoi. At present, medical evacuation for SARS patients is not available by commercial carrier. In light of the evolving nature of this SARS situation, American citizens should regularly consult the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/ and the WHO website http://www.who.int/ for updates.

The CDC has received reports of outbreaks of SARS in Hong Kong SAR, Vietnam, Guangdong Province (China), Canada, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, and Switzerland. Most cases appear to involve health-care workers caring for patients with SARS and close family contacts. CDC is working closely with WHO and country partners in efforts to define the origin of this infection, to track patterns of its transmission, and to determine effective strategies for its control and prevention. Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/ and http://www.who.int/. Local health authorities should be notified of all suspected cases of SARS.

The definition of a suspected case of SARS includes the following:
--Fever greater than 38° C (100.4°F), AND
--One or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, AND
--Either close contact with a person diagnosed with SARS or recent travel to areas with documented transmission of SARS.

The incubation period between exposure to infection and the development of symptoms appears to range from 2-7 days.

Currently, prevention of new cases is based on individuals avoiding close contact with SARS patients. Such close contact includes direct care of patients, or direct contact with their respiratory secretions and body fluids.

Contact Information for the CDC:
Public Inquiries:
English (888) 246-2675
Español (888) 246-2857
TTY (866) 874-2646
Mon-Fri 8am-11pm EST
Sat-Sun 10am-8pm EST

Address:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30333
USA(404) 639-3311
March 2003
 
 

Information on recent outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov and the International Health Organization at http://www.who.int. The CDC's March 15 Press Release is available at http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r030315.htm

The Department of State continues to monitor security conditions overseas and, as always, will promptly disseminate information affecting the safety of Americans abroad through its consular information program.  These documents are available on the Department’s internet website at http://www.travel.state.gov, and can also be accessed through the website of the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia at http://usembassymalaysia.org.my.