News
WHO: SARS no longer spreading in Canada
Published: May 14, 2003 - 03:55 PM
GENEVA, Switzerland (CNN) -- The World Health Organization on Wednesday said SARS is no longer spreading in Toronto, Canada.
"WHO has today removed Toronto, Canada, from the list of areas with recent local transmission," WHO said in a written statement.
The WHO said it made the change after a teleconference with Toronto and Canadian health officials who had objected to the WHO's travel advisory.
It said 20 days have passed since the last locally acquired case of severe acute respiratory syndrome was isolated in Canada, which means "the chain of transmission is considered broken."
Outside Asia, Toronto is the epicenter of the biggest SARS outbreak. Health officials in Canada have reported a total of 321 probable or suspect cases of SARS in the country, resulting in 24 deaths.
Last month, the WHO lifted a travel advisory against unnecessary travel to the city after a week in effect.
The WHO said it made the change after a teleconference with Toronto and Canadian health officials who had objected to the WHO's travel advisory.
It said 20 days have passed since the last locally acquired case of severe acute respiratory syndrome was isolated in Canada, which means "the chain of transmission is considered broken."
Outside Asia, Toronto is the epicenter of the biggest SARS outbreak. Health officials in Canada have reported a total of 321 probable or suspect cases of SARS in the country, resulting in 24 deaths.
Last month, the WHO lifted a travel advisory against unnecessary travel to the city after a week in effect.
