CDC ISSUES HEALTH ALERT NOTICE FOR TRAVELERS TO

CDC ISSUES HEALTH ALERT NOTICE FOR TRAVELERS TO
USA FROM HON
by: lynn bode
the centers for disease control and prevention
(CDC) ON SATURDAY BEGAN DISTRIBUTING CARDS AT
airports receiving flights returning directly
from hong kong warning travelers returning to
THE UNITED STATES FROM HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG
province, people's republic of china and hanoi,
vietnam that they may have been exposed to cases
OF SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS).

the cards are being handed out by quarantine
OFFICIALS AT CHICAGO, O'HARE INTERNATIONAL
airport; los angeles; new york city, jfk
international airport; newark; and san
FRANCISCO. THESE AIRPORTS ARE THE ONLY U.S.
airports receiving direct flights from hong
kong. no u.s. airports receive direct flights
FROM HANOI OR THE GUANGDONG PROVINCE. CDC
officials expect to expand the distribution of
cards to anchorage, alaska and the territory of
GUAM LATER TODAY.

the travel cards warn those returning from the
THREE AREAS THAT THEY SHOULD MONITOR THEIR
health for at least seven days. they are also
advised to contact their physicians if they
BECOME ILL WITH A FEVER ACCOMPANIED BY A COUGH
or difficulty in breathing.

THE CARDS ALSO OFFER GUIDANCE DESIGNED TO ASSIST
physicians in making a diagnosis by advising
travelers to tell their physicians about recent
TRAVEL TO THE AFFECTED REGIONS, AND WHETHER THEY
have been in contact with individuals who
displayed symptoms of sars.

as of march 15, 2003, the cdc had received
reports of sars cases in hong kong and guangdong
PROVINCE, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA; HANOI,
vietnam and canada, singapore and thailand. for
that reason the world health organization has
ISSUED EMERGENCY GUIDANCE FOR TRAVELERS AND
airlines so that persons displaying symptoms of
the illness can receive immediate health care
AND CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF PUBLIC
health authorities. these individuals are also
advised against traveling while ill.

the cdc advises physicians and other clinicians
to be alert for travelers who:

have a fever of 100.4 degrees fahrenheit or
higher;

one or more symptoms of respiratory illness
including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty
IN BREATHING, HYPOXIA (DEFICIENCY IN THE AMOUNT
of oxygen reaching tissues of the body), x-rays
indicating the presence of pneumonia, or
RESPIRATORY DISTRESS; AND

one or more of the following:

history of travel to hong kong or guangdong
province, people's republic of china, or hanoi,
VIETNAM WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF SYMPTOM ONSET;

close contact with persons with respiratory
ILLNESS HAVING THE DESCRIBED TRAVEL HISTORY.
close contact includes having cared for, lived
with, or had direct contact with respiratory
SECRETIONS AND BODY FLUIDS OF A PERSON WITH
sars.

ADDITIONALLY, AIRLINES SHOULD:

alert the destination airport of any passengers
MEETING THE CASE DEFINITION CRITERIA;

arriving passengers who are symptomatic should
BE REFERRED TO HEALTH AUTHORITIES FOR ASSESSMENT
and care;

AIRCRAFT PASSENGERS AND CREW SHOULD BE INFORMED
of the person's status as a suspect case of
sars;

the passengers and crew should provide all
contact information for how passengers can be
REACHED FOR THE SUBSEQUENT 14 DAYS TO AIRPORT
health authorities.

CDC ADVISES THAT PERSONS PLANNING ELECTIVE OR
nonessential travel to hong kong and guangdong
province, people's republic of china and hanoi,
VIETNAM MAY WISH TO POSTPONE THEIR TRIPS UNTIL
further notice. detailed information can be
found on cdc's traveler's health website at
HTTP://WWW.CDC.GOV/TRAVEL/.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

press release

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