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March 31, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"U.S. Warns Against Asia Travel as Virus Spreads"

Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (03/31/03) P. A9; Richardson, Karen; McKay, Betsy; Chang, Leslie

U.S. authorities have warned U.S. citizens against traveling to some Asian destinations because of the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which has infected over 1,600 people worldwide.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Julie Gerberding says that the agency thinks the virus that is thought to be the cause of SARS, the coronavirus, "does appear to be transmitted very efficiently."  Cases continue to appear in Hong Kong and Toronto, and Canadian officials have told visitors to two hospitals to quarantine themselves for ten days, and for those living with them to wear surgical masks at home.  Lack of transparency in China is still a problem with the SARS crisis, since that nation has been reluctant to share information.  "This disease is more infectious than we thought," says Singapore Health Minister Lim Hng Kiang.

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