SARS home

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

SARS is a pneumonia-like illness that is caused by a virus.

General information

SARS affected countries

Changes to global situation

General Information

There has always been a concern that SARS may be seasonal like influenza. The World Health Organization (WHO) has therefore continued to monitor the situation.

New Zealand has followed the WHO guidance in this respect and has prepared contingency plans for SARS re-emergence.

New Zealand's alert status would be stepped up when there are two or more linked cases confirmed by the WHO. If there are two linked cases confirmed, ie where it is possible that the virus has gone from one person to another person, the Ministry would then consider what proactive steps we could take, including alerting health professionals, providing information at airports and giving travel advice.

SARS affected countries

The countries most affected by SARS in the past have been China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Toronto (in Canada). These are no longer considered by the World Health Organization to be SARS affected countries.

The Ministry of Health is no longer advising against travel to any of these or any other country on the basis of SARS.

Changes to global situation

If there is a change to the current low risk level of SARS the Ministry of Health will put that information on this website.

Related information

International Health Regulations Review

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Page last updated: 25 October 2007