ATLANTA -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a
travel advisory related to severe acute respiratory syndrome,
telling people to consider postponing non-essential travel to Hong
Kong and Guandong Province, China; and Hanoi.
Through March 17 the CDC received reports of 170 suspected cases
of SARS in those areas as well as Canada, Singapore, Thailand,
Germany and Switzerland.
The cases appear to stem from close family contacts and from
medical personnel involved in treating SARS patients, the CDC
said.
On Saturday, the CDC began handing out warning cards at certain
airports about SARS. The targeted airports receive flights directly
from Hong Kong.
The cards cautioned travelers--and airports that recognize
passengers displaying symptoms--returning to the U.S. from Hong
Kong, Guangdong Province, and Hanoi that they may have been exposed
to SARS and should seek immediate medical care if they display
signs of the illness.