U.S. and Hong Kong (2003)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Interim Travel Alert: Hong Kong

(Updated June 4, 2003, 2:30 PM ET; Released March 13, 2003)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to investigate cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The number of cases of SARS is subject to change as surveillance increases and cases are identified and confirmed. The current case count for the United States can be found at www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/sars.htm. The case count for cases outside the USA can be www.who.int/csr/sars/en. CDC updates information on its website (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel.htm) on the travel status of other areas with SARS as the situation evolves.

CDC has issued two types of notices to travelers: alerts and advisories. A travel advisory recommends that nonessential travel be deferred; a travel alert, does not advise against travel, but informs travelers of a health concern and provides advice about specific precautions.

CDC is now downgrading the traveler notification for Hong Kong from a travel advisory to a travel alert.

Reasons for removal of the advisory include the following:

• Currently, SARS transmission in Hong Kong is limited to a small number of specific settings through direct person-to-person spread with no evidence of ongoing community transmission.
• The date of onset of symptoms of the last reported case without a known source of exposure occurred on April 30, 2003. More than 20 days, or two SARS incubation periods, have elapsed since that date.
• Monitoring by the Ministry of Health of Hong Kong indicates that there are no new outbreaks of illness in Hong Kong, and there is adequate surveillance for SARS in place.

To view the epi curve, see www.who.int/csr/sarsepicurve/epiindex/en.

CDC continues to recommend that U.S. travelers to Hong Kong observe precautions to safeguard their health (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel_advice.htm). CDC does not recommend the routine use of masks or other personal protective equipment while in public areas..

As with many infectious diseases, the first line of defense is careful hand hygiene. As a general rule, it is good practice to wash hands frequently with soap and water; if hands are not visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand rubs may be used as an alternative. Persons planning travel to Hong Kong should be aware of the current SARS outbreak, stay informed daily about SARS through the various websites, including www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars and www.who.int, and closely follow recommended travel advisories and infection control guidance. CDC continues to be aware of limitations in medical evacuation services for SARS patients. Travelers and resident expatriates should continue to monitor the U.S. Department of State website for updates on availability of medical services and medical evacuations (travel.state.gov/medical.html).

CDC is distributing health alert notices about SARS to people traveling to the United States from Hong Kong. Travelers to Hong Kong should monitor their health while there and for at least 10 days after departure from Hong Kong. If fever or respiratory symptoms (for example, cough or shortness of breath) develop, a visit to a health-care provider is strongly recommended. The provider should be informed about the symptoms in advance so arrangements can be made, if necessary, to prevent transmission to others in the health-care setting (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/triage_interim_guidance.htm).

For information about infection control in health-care and community settings, see www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/triage_interim_guidance.htm.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars or call the CDC public response hotline at (888) 246-2675 (English), (888) 246-2857 (Español), or (866) 874-2646 (TTY)