*EPF212 05/06/2003
Text: CDC Downgrades Health Travel Advisory to Vietnam
(Follows U.N. health agency finding of SARS containment) (670)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is downgrading its travel advisory to Vietnam to a travel alert, finding that the Southeast Asian nation has contained its outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The CDC decision issued May 5 follows a World Health Organization (WHO) finding April 28 that Vietnam was the first nation to contain its outbreak.

Following is the text of the CDC announcement:

(begin text)

U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Interim Travel Alert: Hanoi, Vietnam
Updated May 5, 2003

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The number of cases of SARS is subject to change as surveillance is heightened and cases are identified and confirmed. The current case count for the United States can be found at this web site (http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/sars.htm). The case count for cases outside the United States can be found at this site (http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/ ). Because SARS has spread rapidly, WHO issued emergency guidance for travelers and airlines so that ill people receive immediate health care, are brought to the attention of public health authorities, and are advised against travel while ill (see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel_advice.htm and http://www.who.int/csr/sarsarchive/2003_03_27/en/ ).

For several reasons, CDC has downgraded its traveler's notification for Vietnam from a travel advisory-recommending that nonessential travel be deferred-to a travel alert, not advising against travel, but informing travelers of a health concern and providing advice about specific precautions. Reasons for removal of the advisory include the following:

--According to Vietnam and the WHO, the onset of symptoms of the last reported case from Vietnam was on April 7, 2003. More than 20 days, or two SARS incubation periods, have elapsed since that date.

--Monitoring by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health indicates that there are no new outbreaks of illness in Vietnam, and there is adequate surveillance for SARS in place.

--Data from the WHO indicate that no new cases of exported SARS illness can be traced to Vietnam.

Additional information can be found in the WHO update at the following website (http://www.who.int/csr/sarsarchive/2003_04_28/en/ ).

CDC updates information on its website on the travel status of areas with SARS as the situation evolves.

CDC continues to recommend that U.S. travelers to Vietnam observe precautions to safeguard their health (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel_advice.htm ). This includes avoidance of settings where SARS is most likely to be transmitted, such as health-care facilities caring for SARS patients.

As with many infectious diseases, the first line of defense is careful hand hygiene. As a general rule, it is good practice to wash hands frequently with soap and water; if hands are not visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand rubs may be used as an alternative. Persons planning travel to Vietnam should be aware of the current SARS outbreak, stay informed daily about SARS through the various websites, including http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/ and www.who.int, and closely follow recommended travel advisories and infection control guidance (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/ic.htm ). CDC continues to be aware of limitations in medical evacuation services for SARS patients. Travelers and resident expatriates should continue to monitor the U.S. Department of State website for updates on availability of medical services and medical evacuations in Vietnam (http://travel.state.gov/warnings_list.html ).

CDC is distributing health alert notices about SARS to people traveling to the United States from Vietnam. Travelers to Vietnam should monitor their health while there and for at least 10 days after departure from Vietnam. If fever or respiratory symptoms (for example, cough or shortness of breath) develop, a visit to a health-care provider is strongly recommended. The provider should be informed about the symptoms in advance so arrangements can be made, if necessary, to prevent transmission to others in the health-care setting (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/triage_interim_guidance.htm ).

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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