SARS Outbreak Over in Toronto

July 2, 2003

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – The World Health Organization (WHO) today removed Toronto from its list of areas with recent local transmission of SARS. There have been no new cases of SARS in Toronto for over 20 days (equal to two full incubation periods), which means the chain of human-to-human transmission is considered broken. Toronto, and all of Canada, continue to be a safe and welcoming destination for travellers.

Canada is among a number of countries to have brought SARS transmissions under control. Health Canada, the country’s national health authority, has worked tirelessly with in-country and international partners to contain SARS and to participate in the international community’s scientific investigation into the disease. 

“We should all pay tribute to the health workers and others in Canada,” says David Heymann, WHO’s Executive Director for communicable diseases. “When the virus returned to start a second outbreak, health workers continued the fight and have now won it. We also need to remember the commitment of Canada’s scientists, who rapidly provided information about the virus and its epidemiology that has benefited public health around the world.”

Canada and Canadian schools continue to welcome thousands of international students and visitors including those from countries affected by SARS. Travellers entering Canada or returning to Canada from SARS-affected countries are not required to enter into quarantine. Students may wish to be in touch with their destination schools for information about any measures they may be taking to protect their students.

“We are delighted with the news that Canada has been removed from the WHO list,” adds CECN President Rodney Briggs. “Canada is a preferred destination for students from around the world, and we want to assure our international guests that they are very much welcome here, and that there is no need to worry about SARS. Canada is open to them and welcomes them.”

While the worldwide outbreak of SARS is coming to an end, Canadian health authorities continue to remain vigilant about the disease. To help prevent the further importation and spread of SARS, Health Canada is continuing with the enhanced screening measures for travellers at Canada’s airports. WHO has noted that should SARS resurface again in any country, the global impact should be milder because public health systems have demonstrated a capacity to move quickly into a phase of high alert and to implement control measures.

Sources:

CEC Network, CBC News www.cbc.ca, Health Canada www.healthcanada.ca, World Health Organization www.who.int