Translation of "SO SAR " (English → French) :

Although the application of health protection measures falls to the authorities of the Member States, the orientation for immediate and future actions will focus on the following issues: rapid detection of all suspect cases of SARS through good surveillance; protection of those at risk of infection through effective isolation of SARS patients in hospitals, including measures to protect carers; particular attention to be paid to air travel, which has been an important factor in the spread of SARS, notably to standardised screening of passengers leaving affected areas; on-board advice to passengers and effective information at ports of entry from affected areas; raising awareness among professionals and the public and the timely and accur ...[+++]ate reporting and sharing of information with other countries, in particular EEA and EFTA countries, acceding and candidate countries, and with the WHO.

The outbreak of war in Iraq and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Southeast Asia have impacted considerably on air services to the regions affected by the war and SARS as well as within the EU.

On the question of transmission, the principal way SARS appears to be spread is through respiratory secretions called droplets, namely, when someone with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets into the air and someone else breathes them in. Nevertheless, other ways of transmission cannot be ruled out, such as direct close contact with an infected person.

The main conclusions of the meeting are: the surveillance system has been working efficiently; SARS is spread from person to person only through close contact, people most at risk are therefore healthcare workers and family members of SARS cases; special guidance has been given to airlines and medical professionals; Member States continue to update regularly on the situation through the EWRS.

25. Notes the reports that by early April 2003, over twenty deaths and almost one thousand recorded cases have been attributed to the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic in Hong Kong; nonetheless welcomes the actions of the Hong Kong healthcare professionals and scientists in responding to the SARS outbreak; expresses concern at the lack of transparency, lack of information-sharing and unnecessary delays by the authorities of the Peoples Republic of China in responding to the discovery of the deadly respiratory disease; therefore believes that Hong Kong's further integration with the Pearl River Delta (ie. the Guangdong province) should not exclusively be about building roads and bridges and easing border control b ...[+++]ut should also promote public health and disease cooperation and calls for a sufficient alert system to be established;

People most at risk are therefore healthcare workers and family members of SARS cases.