Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
Campus Bulletin
April 03, 2003
Update regarding SARS and travel advisories
Last updated April 17
The University continues to receive inquiries regarding Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and related travel issues. We are continuing to closely monitor information and travel advisories about SARS and will post updates as appropriate.
Health Canada has issued travel advisories for several countries. In addition, Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are advising that people who have travelled to Singapore, Hong Kong, China, or Hanoi, Vietnam, should monitor their health for symptoms for 10 days upon return to Canada. Health Canada also recommends that persons planning to travel to the aforementioned countries should defer all travel until further notice. As an added precautionary measure, Health Canada has arranged for in-flight distribution of the yellow health alert card by flight attendants to passengers on all direct flights from Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing.
Flight attendants will also ask passengers to fill out a traveller tracing form (also known as content information cards) that will enable health authorities to contact passengers over a two-week period after their arrival in Canada, if necessary. These forms must be filled out before clearing customs. This in-flight distribution will also be expanded to direct flights from other Asian destinations in the near future.
Details of the SARS advisories are available on the Health Canada website.
Members of the University community who have employment or sick leave questions that relate to travel plans should contact their service co-ordinator in human resources or Occupational Health Services at Ext. 52133. People who have questions about other issues related to SARS should contact either Student Health Services at Ext. 54333, or in the case of faculty and staff, Occupational Health Services at Ext. 52133.
Information about SARS is also available on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website , on the Health Canada website, or by calling the SARS hotline, 1-888-668-4636 or Telehealth Ontario, 1-800-454-8302.
Student Health Services, like other medical clinics and hospitals in the region, is taking precautionary screening measures.
