Before you take off to for that relaxing and well-deserved vacation, had you taken care of your immunizations yet? If you are planning to travel, you may want to take precautions.Click on the continent you are planning to visit and see what you can do to stay healthy and safe.
Africa | Asia | Australia | Europe | North America | South America
(For other travel areas, go to the Centers for Disease Control.)
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness. It is caused by a previously unrecognized corona virus (SARS-CoV). There is an existing possibility that other infectious agents might have a role in some cases of SARS. Infection occurs when a person comes in close contact with an infected individual.
SARS is transmitted from close person-to-person contact. Close person-to-person contact means having cared for or lived with someone infected with SARS or having direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a patient with SARS. Close contact includes kissing or hugging, sharing eating or drinking utensils, talking to someone within 3 feet, and touching someone directly. The virus that causes the disease is transmitted most readily by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Droplet spread occurs when, through coughing or sneezing, the droplets of someone infected are released in the air and deposit themselves into the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes of persons nearby (generally within 3 feet). The virus can also be spread when a person touches a surface or contaminated object with infectious droplets and then touches one’s eye(s), nose, or mouth. Patients are most infectious during the second week of illness.
The incubation period for SARS is generally 2-7 days, but can be up to 10 days. The illness usually begins with a high fever (temperatures greater than 100.4°F). The fever is sometimes associated with chills, headache, general feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people may experience mild respiratory problems. Diarrhea is seen in about 10-20 % of patients. After 2-7 days, SARS patients might develop a dry, nonproductive cough that may be accompanied or become a condition called hypoxia, which is when not enough oxygen is getting to the blood. When this happens, patients may need mechanical ventilation. Most patients develop pneumonia.
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003, and over the next few months the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. By late July, there were no new reported cases and the global outbreak was declared over. However, in December 2003, a suspected SARS case was reported in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. In January 2004, it was confirmed through laboratory testing that it was in fact SARS. Worldwide, there have been over 8,000 people that have become sick because of SARS. Of those cases, over 900 have died. No SARS-related deaths have occurred in the U.S., but there have been 192 reported cases, 8 of which were laboratory confirmed. SARS cases reported in the U.S. occurred primarily among people who had traveled to SARS-infected areas. Attached to this report is a list of all of the countries the were affected by the SARS outbreak and the degree of severity the affect was for each country, courtesy of the World Health Organization (WHO).
At this time, there is not a full understanding of SARS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working closely with WHO and with several other partners in a global effort to address the SARS situation. For those that have to travel to areas infected with SARS, the CDC recommends that travelers wash their hands with soap frequently to avoid becoming infected. In addition, it is recommended that travelers avoid close contact with large numbers of people as much as possible to minimize the possibility of infection.
People with symptoms of SARS are advised to consult a health care provider and make sure to inform them of any recent travel to areas where infections have been reported or if they have had any contact with someone infected with SARS. For any further information and updates, please visit the CDC Web site or the WHO Web site.
