Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

An update page to help businesses prevent and respond to SARS disease.

The problem of SARS, an atypical pneumonia, was first raised early in March 2003 by the World Health Organization (WHO). This page provides an updated resource offering links to the latest news and information.

POSSIBLE BUSINESS CONTINUITY MEASURES

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LATEST NEWS

Agreement aims to forge stronger global defences against epidemics
192 countries agree to cooperate to control major disease outbreaks and bio-terrorism events.
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•Date: 24th May 2005 • Region: World • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Europe strengthens its epidemic defences
New Stockholm-based agency launched to coordinate epidemic preparation and response.
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•Date: 29th September 2004 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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WHO team travels to China to investigate SARS outbreak
Eight people have been clinically diagnosed as SARS cases or are under investigation for possible SARS infection.
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•Date: 27th April 2004 •Region: SE Asia •Type: Article •Topic: SARS
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New suspect SARS cases in China and Hong Kong
A 20 year old waitress is being tested for SARS in the Chinese province of Guangdong and three TV journalists who recently visited southern China are being tested for SARS in Hong Kong.
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•Date: 8th January 2004 •Region: SE Asia •Type: Link •Topic: SARS disease
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WHO lab tests confirm China SARS case
This is the first case not linked to a laboratory accident that has occurred since the initial outbreak of SARS was declared contained on 5th July 2003.
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•Date: 6th January 2004 •Region: SE Asia •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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New SARS case leads to quarantine
Health officials in Singapore have quarantined 70 people who may have come in contact with a Taiwanese lab worker with SARS.
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•Date: 18th December 2003 •Region: SE Asia•Type: Link •Topic: SARS disease
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Hong Kong may have new SARS case
A woman showing symptoms of the disease has been placed in an isolation ward.
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•Date: 16th September 2003 • Region: SE Asia •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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Is SARS coming back?
The first new case of SARS in five months may have occurred in Singapore.
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•Date: 9th September 2003 • Region: SE Asia •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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Asia-Pacific Human Resources Conference 2003
SARS risk management and response issues high on the agenda.
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•Date: 15th August 2003 • Region: SE Asia/Asia Pacific •Type: Article •Topic: Events
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SARS: a preview of things to come?
SARS is under control, but the impact has caused some US corporates to rethinking their understanding of business continuity.
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•Date: 17th July 2003 • Region: N.America •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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Japanese companies remain on alert for SARS
Business continuity measures being taken in case of a SARS recurrence this winter.
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•Date: 8th July 2003 • Region: Asia Pacific •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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SARS may be a recurring problem
Yesterday Toronto was removed from the World Health Organisation’s list of SARS-risk areas, but health experts are warning that the disease may return later in the year.
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•Date: 3rd July 2003 • N.America/Worldwide •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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Learning the lessons from SARS
SARS is now in decline – what business continuity lessons can be learned for the future? Article and survey.
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•Date: 6th June 2003 •Region: Worldwide •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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SARS: don't travel to Taiwan
The World Health Organization has advised businesses not to allow staff to travel to Taiwan because of the SARS disease risk.
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•Date: 22nd May 2003 •Region: Worldwide/SE Asia •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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CDC issues guidance for US businesses on SARS
'Interim guidelines for businesses and other organizations with employees returning to the United States from areas with SARS.'
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•Date: 16th May 2003 •Region: N.America •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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Learning from SARS
The Chinese government, business representatives and academics have conducted a joint workshop in Beijing to discus the crisis management lessons that are emerging from SARS.
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•Date: 16th May 2003 •Region: SE Asia •Type: Article •Topic: Crisis management
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IT projects feel SARS impact
Computerworld Australia has reported that many IT projects face significant and damaging delays unless ‘companies tighten workplace policies and activate solid business continuity plans as the epidemic economists are calling the $US30 billion disease spreads’.
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•Date: 15th May 2003 •Region: Australia •Type: Article •Topic: SARS disease
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Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce to help SMEs cope with SARS
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce is liaising with its members and various government agencies to offer a series of business continuity seminars and assistance packages to help firms with SARS issues.
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•Date: 14th May 2003 •Region: SE Asia •Type: Link •Topic: SARS disease
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CDC update on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Use the link below to read a transcript of a briefing given by the CDC on the status of the SARS epidemic, from the US domestic perspective and the international perspective.
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•Date: 7th May 2003 •Region:N.America / Worldwide •Type: Article •Topic: SARS
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MEP calls for Europe-wide response to SARS
Dr Caroline Lucas, a member of the European Parliament's Public Health Committee, has called on the Commission to co-ordinate responses.
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•Date: 1st May 2003 •Region:W.Europe / UK •Type: Article •Topic: SARS
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Postpone travel to Beijing and Toronto warns WHO
The World Health Organisation has issued a new SARS-related travel advice notice. Business travellers, amongst others, are being warned to cancel all non-essential travel to Beijing and Shanxi Province, China, and in Toronto, Canada.
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•Date: 24th April 2003 •Region: Worldwide/N. America •Type: Article •Topic: SARS
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Buildings face SARS threat
The Australian Financial Review has published an article outlining the protective measures that building managers can take to help avoid SARS infection.
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•Date: 24th April 2003 •Region: Australia •Type: Article •Topic: SARS
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SARS briefing paper
Provides an update on current knowledge about SARS and overviews the business risks posed by the disease.
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•Date: 14th April 2003 •Region: Worldwide •Type: Article •Topic: SARS
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Singapore Association of Banks establishes SARS taskforce
Will co-ordinate business continuity efforts and information-sharing.
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•Date: 14th April 2003 •Region: SE Asia •Type: Link •Topic: SARS
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New service launched to help with SARS related business continuity issues
InstantProject Team Execution Package from Framework Technologies offers rapid replacement of face-to-face activities and meetings with web-based ones.
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•Date: 8th April 2003 •Region: Worldwide •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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How financial firms are fighting SARS
Financeasia.com has reported on the methods being used to ensure business continuity.
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•Date: 7th April 2003 •Region: SE Asia •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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SARS disease - Hong Kong takes emergency measures
Government and businesses are taking contingency measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
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•Date: 2nd April 2003 •Region: SE Asia •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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World faces risk of major new epidemic
World Health Organisation issues emergency travel advisory. Businesses should consider making contingency plans.
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•Date: 17th March 2003 •Region: Worldwide •Type: Article •Topic: Warnings
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INFORMATION RESOURCES

World Health Organisation update page
Provides information on the latest research into SARS plus outbreak reports and statistics.
Go there
•Type: Link •Region: Worldwide •Level: Various

US Center for Disease Control - SARS page
Advice, information and updates for US businesses.
Go there
•Type: Link •Region: North America •Level: Various

SARS FAQS
Frequently asked questions about SARS (CDC)
Go there
•Type: Link •Region: North America •Level: Various

UK health advisory
Issued by the Department of Health - contains some useful links for SARS tracking.
Go there
•Type: Link •Region: UK •Level: Various

SARS guidance centre
The UK government's UK Resilience website has published an excellent resource page that offers a comprehensive index to worldwide SARS news and information.
Go there
•Type: Link •Region: UK •Level: Various

Australian advice
The Department of Health and Ageing's SARS advice page.
Go there
•Type: Link •Region: Australia •Level: Various

Syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère (SRAS)
Information au sujet du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère
Go there
•Type: Link •Region: North America •Level: Various

Health Canada advice page
Central resource for Canadian businesses.
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•Type: Link •Region: North America •Level: Various

SARS disease information website
Specialist information source.
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•Type: Link •Region: Worldwide •Level: Various