On May 14, CDC announced that, “at this time, CDC does not recommend quarantine of persons arriving from areas with Sars”. A day later, WHO   said that according to the information now available, only persons with symptoms are contagious and can transmit the disease, and close contact is required for transmission.

Both organisations say that quarantining of people arriving from areas infected with Sars is unnecessary and that business and social activities could go ahead as normal.

"CDC does not recommend cancelling or postponing business meetings, classes, sporting events or other gatherings that will include persons travelling to the US from areas with Sars."

The report noted that stringent outbreak control measures were in place in countries with Sars to prevent importation and spread of the disease, including comprehensive activities such as pre-embarkation screening of persons travelling from those areas and assessment by health authorities of ill persons aboard arriving flights.

Other countries, including Canada, the UK and the rest of the EU have also advised their nationals that quarantining people from Sars-affected areas is unnecessary.

No risk from goods from Hong Kong

Similarly, goods, products or animals arriving from Sars-affected areas do not pose a risk to public health, the World Health Organisation reiterated in a statement released on 5 May.

"No restrictions in this regard are recommended," read the  WHO statement, posted on its website.

The announcement came following concern from international buyers that cargo from Sars-affected areas could spread the virus. No cases of cargo-to-person Sars have been reported.

The WHO said it would continue to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with Ministries of Health and partner agencies.

Related links:
CDC report www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/hostingarrivals.htm
Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/sars/update59.html