UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I
SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS) FACT SHEET

In recent weeks, there has been an outbreak of a serious respiratory disease originating in Asia and spreading rapidly to other areas of the world. This illness, called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), is believed to be caused by a virus and highly contagious. The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control have issued health alerts.

Areas with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS include: all of mainland China; Hong Kong; Taiwan; Hanoi, Vietnam; Toronto, Canada; and Singapore.

IF YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING SARS SYMPTOMS, YOU MUST POSTPONE YOUR TRAVEL TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AND NOTIFY YOUR UH-SPONSORING UNIT OF YOUR REVISED PLANS.

1. Respiratory illness of unknown etiology with onset since February 1, 2003;
   
2. Measured temperature of >100.5 °F (>38° C); AND
   
3. One or more clinical findings of respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hypoxia, or radiographic findings of either pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome); AND
   
4. Travel within 10 days of onset of symptoms to an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS, OR
   Close contact* within 10 days of onset of symptoms with either a person with a respiratory illness who traveled to a SARS area or a person known to be a suspect SARS case.
   
   (*Close contact is defined as having cared for, having lived with, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of a patient known to be a suspect SARS case.)

If you develop these symptoms within 10 days of arrival, please call the University Health Service at 956-8965, Monday- Friday, (except State and Federal holidays) from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M and request to speak to a physician.

After office hours you should call one of the following Emergency Rooms, BUT DO NOT GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

Although no cases have been confirmed in Hawai‘i, many activities at the University involve participation of people either coming from or traveling to SARS-affected areas. These precautionary measures are advised:

• Non-essential or elective traveling should be deferred.
• Individuals with symptoms of illnesses fitting the SARS criteria should call their physician as soon as possible.
• Wash hands at regular intervals.
• Those coming into contact with suspected cases should wear protective articles such as a mask and gloves.

REMEMBER:

• DO NOT PANIC.
• Not all respiratory illnesses are SARS – the great majority is still the common cold, and many illnesses are accompanied by fever.
• Not all persons coming from SARS areas have SARS, nor could they transmit the illness unless they actually have the illness.

For more information, check the following websites:
Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/
State of Hawai‘i Department of Health: http://www.state.hi.us/doh/index.html
U.S. Department of State: http://www.travel.state.gov/