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SARS
(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
Updated
07.29.03
Over
the past nine months SARS has emerged as a new infectious
respiratory disease. The people affected have all either lived
in or traveled to certain areas of Asia, or have lived with
or cared for someone who has traveled to those areas. As a
result of intensive international public health cooperation,
the number of SARS cases has greatly decreased and all travel
warnings and advisories to affected areas have been lifted.
Currently
there are no travel alerts or advisories being issued by the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The last area to have the
alert removed was Taiwan, on July 15, 2003. This was because
more than 30 days had elapsed since the date of onset of symptoms
for the last SARS case. The CDC had previously removed its
alert for other risk areas (Toronto, Beijing, Mainland China,
Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.)
Even
though the current SARS risk is minimal, we want to continue
to stay alert in order to protect the health of all members
of the Barnard College community. After August 16th 2003,
any returning or first time student coming from a SARS risk
area who has symptoms of the illness within 10 days after
leaving, such as a fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius (100.4
degrees Fahrenheit), cough and shortness of breath or difficulty
breathing, should immediately contact the Health Service Clinician-on-Call
at (212) 666-5838.
Prior to August 16th 2003, any student with SARS concerns
should seek immediate help from their own private health care
provider. For more detailed information on SARS, including
travel risks, please go to the following Web sites:
Barnard
Health Services: http://www.barnard.edu/health/index.htm
The Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
The World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/
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