Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

After travelers' diarrhea, respiratory infection is the most common infectious disease affecting travelers. In the winter of 2003 a new coronavirus caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and disrupted travel to much of Southeast Asia and Canada. The CDC recommends that travelers to areas reporting current SARS cases avoid places where the disease is likely to be transmitted: health care settings and markets selling live animals (particularly civet cats). Travelers should also wash their hands frequently and monitor their health for 10 days after leaving a SARS area. If fever or respiratory illnesss develops, they should be seen by a physician.