WGSARS: Canada-wide Status Report April 21

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001139 SIPDIS STATE FOR WGSARS, OES/PCI, WHA/CAN (RUNNING) HHS FOR OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (STEIGER) CDC for Global Health Office (Cox) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AMED CA SARS SUBJECT: WGSARS: Canada-wide Status Report April 21 (Number 5) Ref. (A) Ottawa 1107 (SARS Canada-wide Report #4) (B) Toronto 1144(Ontario SARS Update #14) ¶1. Health Canada as of April 17 has begun to provide Health Alert notices to passengers departing by train from Toronto's Union Station. The Health Alert notice describes the symptoms of SARS and advises travelers to see a physician if they develop symptoms. ¶2. As of 13:00 Eastern Daylight Savings Time April 21, 2003, Health Canada has received reports of 316 probable or suspect cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Canada. There have been 14 deaths attributed to SARS (13 probable cases and 1 suspect case) all linked to the Toronto nexus. To date, transmission has been limited to specific transmission settings such as households, hospitals and specific community settings. The details of the cases to date are as follows: -- Ontario is reporting 135 probable and 124 suspect cases. (See Toronto reporting for details.) -- British Columbia is reporting 4 probable and 41 suspect cases. (Increase of 4 suspect cases since report #4) -- New Brunswick is reporting 2 suspect cases. (No change.) -- Saskatchewan is reporting 1 suspect case. (No change.) -- Alberta is reporting 5 suspect cases. (No change.) -- Prince Edward Island is reporting 4 suspect cases. (No change.) Cellucci