July 22, 2003. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has now lifted all Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Travel Alerts. Following Toronto, Beijing, and Hong Kong in the previous week, Taiwan became the final and last country to have its alert status lifted on July 15, 2003. The Travel Alert was officially lifted because more than 30 days had elapsed since the date of onset of symptoms for the any SARS case in Taiwan. Currently, no areas in the world report ongoing transmissions of the disease.

The CDC announcement follows an earlier World Health Organization (WHO) announcement on July 5, 2003 in which the WHO no longer recommended the restriction of travel to any previously infected SARS areas. The WHO, however, maintains the need for travelers to continue to be aware of the main symptoms of SARS and remain vigilant. In addition, the CDC is continuing surveillance and preparations for a possible recurrence of SARS and advises travelers to stay informed about current travel alerts and advisories.

Further information is available at the CDC and WHO websites, www.cdc.gov and www.who.int.