SARS - Guidelines for Travellers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking reports of outbreaks of a respiratory illness called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The symptoms of SARS can be found at basic information about SARS. The primary way that SARS appears to spread is by close person-to-person contact. Most cases of SARS have involved people who cared for or lived with someone with SARS, or had direct contact with infectious material (for example, respiratory secretions) from a person who has SARS. Potential ways in which SARS can be spread include touching the skin of other persons or objects that are contaminated with infectious droplets and then touching the eye, nose, or mouth. This can happen when someone who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets onto themselves, other persons, or nearby surfaces. It is also possible that SARS can be spread more broadly through the air or by other ways that are currently not known.

CDC has issued a travel advisory suggesting that people planning elective or nonessential travel to mainland China and Hong Kong, Singapore, and Hanoi, Vietnam, may wish to postpone their trips until further notice. CDC has also issued a travel alert for Toronto, Canada, to recommend that U.S. travelers to Toronto observe precautions to safeguard their health.

If you decide to go ahead with your travel to an area with SARS, please keep the following guidelines in mind.

Before You Leave

• Assemble a travel health kit containing basic first aid and medical supplies. Be sure to include a thermometer, household disinfectant, a supply of surgical masks and disposable gloves (for use if you or someone you are traveling with becomes ill with SARS), and alcohol-based hand rubs for hand hygiene.
• Inform yourself and others who may be traveling with you about SARS. For information about this illness, see CDC's SARS Web site.
• Be sure you are up to date with all your shots, and see your health-care provider at least 4 to 6 weeks before travel to get any additional shots or information you may need.
• You may wish to check your health insurance plan or get additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in the event of illness. Information about medical evacuation services can be found at this U.S. Department of State page.
• Identify in-country health-care resources in advance of your trip.

While You Are in an Area with SARS

• To protect against SARS infection, wash your hands frequently.
• To minimize the possibility of infection, you may wish to avoid close contact with large numbers of people as much as possible. CDC does not recommend the routine use of masks or other personal protective equipment while in public areas.

If You Think You Have SARS or Symptoms Compatible with SARS

• If you become ill with fever and respiratory symptoms (for example, cough or shortness of breath), a visit to a health-care provider is strongly recommended. Tell the provider about your symptoms prior to going to the office or emergency room so arrangements can be made, if necessary, to prevent transmission to others in the health-care setting. The nearest U.S. Embassy or Consular Office can help you find a provider in the area. Again, you are encouraged to identify these resources in advance. Do not travel while sick and limit your contact with others as much as possible to help prevent the spread of any infectious illness you may have.
• The person who is ill should cover their mouth and nose with a facial tissue when coughing or sneezing. If possible, they should wear a surgical mask during close contact with healthy people to prevent spread of infectious droplets. If the sick person is unable to wear a surgical mask, other persons should wear surgical masks when in close contact with the person who is ill.
• Use of disposable gloves should be considered for any direct contact with body fluids of a person with SARS. However, gloves are not intended to replace proper hand hygiene. Immediately after activities involving contact with body fluids, gloves should be removed and discarded and hands should be cleaned. Gloves must never be washed or reused.
• All close contacts staying with a person with SARS should carefully follow recommendations for hand hygiene (e.g., frequent hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand rubs), particularly after contact with body fluids (e.g., respiratory secretions, urine, or feces).
• People with SARS should avoid sharing eating utensils, towels, and bedding with others, although these items can be used by others after routine cleaning, such as washing or laundering with soap and hot water.
• Environmental surfaces (e.g., toilets, sinks) soiled by body fluids should be cleaned with a household disinfectant according to manufacturer's instructions; gloves should be worn during this activity. Wash hands afterwards and throw the gloves away.
• Other close contacts staying with a person with SARS do not need to restrict their outside activities unless they develop symptoms of SARS, such as a fever or respiratory illness.

After Your Return

• Persons returning from one of the affected areas should monitor their health for 10 days. Any family member who becomes ill with fever or respiratory symptoms during this period should consult a healthcare provider and tell him or her about their recent travel. Tell the provider about your symptoms prior to going to the office or emergency room so arrangements can be made, if necessary, to prevent transmission to others in the health-care setting.
• Close contacts of person with SARS who develop fever or respiratory symptoms should be evaluated by a health-care provider. Before the evaluation, health-care providers should be informed that the individual is a close contact of a person with SARS. These persons with symptoms of SARS should follow the same precautions recommended for people with SARS.