Please note that this information sheet is subject to change as more is learnt about this condition.
Issued by the National Department of Health
2 April 2003
The aim of this information sheet is to heighten awareness of travellers, general public and physicians resident or visiting South Africa.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus recently described in patients from Asia, North America and Europe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently coordinating a global response to reported outbreaks of SARS. Cases have been reported from thirteen countries since February 2003. As of 31 March 2003, 1622 suspect and probable cases of SARS (incl 58 deaths) have been reported to WHO. Local transmission has been confined to Canada, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (Hong Kong SAR), Singapore, Taiwan (China) and Vietnam. As of 31 March 2003, no cases were reported in South Africa.
In South Africa, all Port Health Officers, laboratory staff, Communicable Disease Officers and pilots and their crew are kept updated on current reports and recommendations made by WHO. Nationally, surveillance has been reinforced. And a National Outbreak Response Team in collaboration with the National Communicable Disease Institute is monitoring the situation in South Africa.
As in line with WHO's recommendations, persons traveling to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong Province, China should consider postponing all but essential travel. This temporary recommendation will be reassessed. The recommendation does not apply to passengers simply transiting through airports in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or Guangdong Province, China.
no restrictions have been placed on travellers from South Africa to Asia. However, travel to areas where local transmission is occurring should be done with caution. If travel plans to these areas can be delayed, this is advisable until the risk has been reduced. In the event of a traveller experiencing the symptoms outlined below, they should seek immediate medical attention and ensure that information about their recent travel is passed on to the health care staff. Any traveller who develops these symptoms is advised not to undertake further travel until fully recovered. All travellers landing in SA from from China, Vietnam and Singapore will be issued with health advisory alerts providing health information and contact details.
How contagious is SARS?
Based on current evidence, close contact with an infected person is needed for the infective agent (virus) to spread from one person to another. Close contact means having cared for, having lived with or having had direct contact with respiratory secretions (coughing and sneezing) and body fluids of a person with SARS.
Symptoms and signs
High fever (greater than 38ºC)
AND
One or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
AND one or more of the following:
Close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with SARS
Recent history of travel to areas reporting cases of SARS
SARS may also be associated with other symptoms such as headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash and diarrhoea.
The incubation period is between 2 and 7 days
Precautions
The best precaution is a personal understanding of the disease. If someone is coughing, looks like they are sick, the best thing to do is to move away from them. Refer to sources of information below for updates on the current situation.
When travelling to an affected area: practice good hand hygiene (wash hands), avoid touching the eyes, mouth or nose and wipe down with rubbing alcohol. A mask can be worn as long as the face is not touched when readjusted.
Current distribution
To date, cases have been reported from 13 countries on three continents:
Actions to be taken if suspect infected
PATIENTS: Report to your nearest health facility and
provide them with your latest travel history. All travel should be delayed
until full recovery has been made.
DOCTORS: Contact the National Institute of Communicable
Disease and the National Department of Health (012) 312-0104.
Please note:
People should be cautious, keep updated on the current situation and not panic.
Refer to the websites listed below for updated information.
Sources of information: http://www.who.int, http://www.cdc.gov and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases.