Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS)
Frequently Asked Travel Questions
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- What is the CDC saying about travel alerts and advisories?
- How about the WHO (World Health Organization)?
- Should I delay or cancel my travel plans?
- What if I recently returned from a country where SARS has been identified?
- Should I stay home from work/school if I've been in a country where SARS occurs, but I have NO symptoms?
- What about general travel health information?
What is the CDC saying about travel alerts and advisories?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) publishes both Travel Advisories and Alerts.
Advisory - There is a recommendation AGAINST non-essential travel to an area.
Alert - While there may be an outbreak of a disease, the risk to travelers is considered small and there is NO recommendation against non-essential travel to that area.CURRENT ADVISORIES FOR SARS:
NONECURRENT ALERTS FOR SARS:
NONE
- How about the WHO (World Health Organization)?
The World Health Organization maintains their own system of travel warnings. In general, they are similar to the CDC, but are often more specific (e.g. will go into more detail about specific provinces in China). As of June 24, 2003 the WHO has dropped all travel recommendations.
- Should I delay or cancel my travel plans?
There are NO current CDC travel advisories or alerts. The WHO also is not recommending postponing travel.
Additional CDC travel advice
CDC travel alerts and
advisories
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- What should I do if I recently returned
from a country where SARS has been identified?
You should monitor your own health for 10 days following your return. If you become ill with a fever of over 100.40F [>38.00C] that is accompanied by a cough or difficulty breathing or that progresses to a cough and/or difficulty breathing, you should consult a health care provider (your own doctor or a Rutgers clinician). To help your health care provider make a diagnosis, tell him or her about any recent travel to regions where cases of SARS have been reported and whether you were in contact with someone who had these symptoms.
- Do I (or others) need to stay home from
work/school if I've returned from a country where SARS has been
identified but I have NO symptoms?
The CDC is currently recommending that only those who develop symptoms consistent with SARS be quarantined. At this time, the CDC recommendation is for those who may have been exposed to continue working/attending school and to be vigilant for the onset of symptoms.
Additional CDC information for: students and staff/faculty
- What about general health related travel
information?
More information available here.
Last Modified 12/22/2005