Two More People Die in Canada From SARS

April 01, 2003 By TOM COHEN ASSOCIATED PRESS TORONTO (AP) -

A mystery illness from Asia with no known treatment has claimed its fifth and sixth victims in Canada, health officials said Tuesday.

Canada's health minister also acknowledged that little was known about severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, but said proper steps have been taken to control its spread.

All the SARS-related deaths in Canada have occurred in Toronto, the nation's largest city. The majority of the nation's 129 probable or suspected cases have occurred here.

The illness was brought to Canada by air travelers from Asia. Its initial symptoms include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath.

SARS has killed more than 60 people worldwide and sickened more than 1,600, with the majority of cases in Hong Kong and China.

Health Minister Anne McLellan said information cards and questionnaires have been given to international travelers at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, but interviewing the 36,000 international travelers using the airport each day would be unworkable and unnecessary.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien called the SARS outbreak "a very serious problem" but added, "We should not panic. We hope it is confined, but you never really know."

In Ontario, the nation's most populous province, authorities have declared a health emergency and restricted access to all hospitals, where staff and visitors must wear masks and other protective garb.

Anyone with symptoms, anyone who has been in contact with SARS patients or anyone who visited two hospitals where the illness first turned up have been asked to quarantine themselves at home for 10 days.

Federal health officials say more than 100 probable or suspected cases are in Ontario, with others reported in Vancouver and the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick.