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CDC Removes Travel Alert for Taiwan

As of July 15, 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed its travel alert for Taiwan to reflect the changing status of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases reported in this area. Taiwan was the last area under CDC’s travel alert. The alert for Taiwan was lifted because more than 30 days had elapsed since the date of onset of symptoms for the last SARS case.

In response to the SARS epidemic, CDC issues two types of notices to travelers: advisories and alerts. A travel advisory recommends that nonessential travel be deferred; a travel alert does not advise against travel, but informs travelers of a health concern and provides advice about specific precautions. Interim definitions and criteria for travel alerts and advisories are available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel_alertadvisory.htm. Although no SARS-specific precautions are currently recommended for travelers to Taiwan, standard health information for international travelers is available at http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybDynamic.asp.

CDC will discontinue distribution of the Health Alert Notices in Taiwan, but will continue its surveillance activities and will update its travel notice should there be a reoccurrence of a SARS outbreak.

Travelers should be aware of their risk for communicable diseases, such as SARS, and should stay informed about current travel alerts or advisories. Information about travel alerts and advisories as well as pre-travel health recommendations can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/.

For more information, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/index.htm.

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This page last updated July 15, 2003
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r030715.htm

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