4/9/2003 6:24:29 PM

April 3, 2003 A Message From The City Of Toronto

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR TORONTO BUSINESS
Serve Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)


Transmission of SARS
�¡ All SARS cases in Toronto are linked into exposure in a health care setting or related to travel in one of the endemic countries.
�¡ The risk to the general population of contacting SARS remains extremely low.
�¡ Individuals who have had a direct contact with a known SARS patient, or have travelled to China (Guangdong Province), Hong Kong , Singapore, or Vietnam (the city of Hanoi) should watch for symptoms related to SARS.
�¡ Symptoms include fever (greater than 38 C or 100. 4 F), AND any of the following: muscle aches and pains, severe fatigue, a severe headache, dry cough, shortness of breath.



Prevention Activities in the Community
�¡ The City of Toronto�fs Public Health staff, provincial and other health officials have been working around the clock to identify probable and suspect cases of SARS.
�¡ Strict emergency measures are in place at all health care facilities to contain SARS..
Toronto public health is:
- monitoring the status of all probable, suspects and indeterminate cases of SARS
- calling contacts of SARS cases to monitor for symptoms
- supplying masks and thermometers for people who must be isolated at home
- operating a SARS hotline to answer questions and concerns from the public

Toronto is a Safe Travel Destination
�¡ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and the World Health Organization have issued travel advisories to South East Asia, but NO SUCH advisory has been issued for Canada or Toronto
�¡ The city remains open for business

For more information, visit the city of Toronto�fs Web site for the latest information on SARS and what the City and the province are doing to contain it. Go to www.toronto.ca/visitors for more information
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