*EPF313 07/16/2003
Text: Last SARS Travel Alert Removed
(Active transmission of disease deemed to have ended in Taiwan) (520)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped a SARS travel alert July 15 for Taiwan. In a press release issued from CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the health agency said that 30 days had elapsed since the date of onset of symptoms for the last SARS case in Taiwan, indicating that active transmission of the disease has stopped and a travel alert is no longer necessary.

CDC's travel alert for Taiwan was the last in place worldwide in connection with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a sometimes-fatal disease that emerged for the first time in late 2002. Health experts believe the disease jumped from animals to humans in mainland China and subsequently appeared in 29 countries.

China, Singapore and Vietnam suffered the greatest numbers of cases. Toronto, Canada was the only area outside of Asia to experience a significant number of cases.

The World Health Organization announced July 5 that the global chain of transmission for the previously unknown disease has been broken. A July 11 WHO accounting of probable SARS cases reports 8,437 worldwide, with 813 deaths.

Further information about SARS is available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/ and http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/

Following is the text of the CDC press release:

(begin text)

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Press Release
July 15, 2003

CDC Removes Travel Alert for Taiwan

As of July 15, 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed its travel alert for Taiwan to reflect the changing status of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases reported in this area. Taiwan was the last area under CDC's travel alert. The alert for Taiwan was lifted because more than 30 days had elapsed since the date of onset of symptoms for the last SARS case.

In response to the SARS epidemic, CDC issues two types of notices to travelers: advisories and alerts. A travel advisory recommends that nonessential travel be deferred; a travel alert does not advise against travel, but informs travelers of a health concern and provides advice about specific precautions. Interim definitions and criteria for travel alerts and advisories are available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel_alertadvisory.htm. Although no SARS-specific precautions are currently recommended for travelers to Taiwan, standard health information for international travelers is available at http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybDynamic.asp.

CDC will discontinue distribution of the Health Alert Notices in Taiwan, but will continue its surveillance activities and will update its travel notice should there be a reoccurrence of a SARS outbreak.

Travelers should be aware of their risk for communicable diseases, such as SARS, and should stay informed about current travel alerts or advisories. Information about travel alerts and advisories as well as pre-travel health recommendations can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/.

For more information, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/index.htm.

CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.

(end text)

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

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