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May 29, 2003
Question 1: What is SARS?
Answer 1: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness recently reported in various parts of the world. Illness usually begins with a fever (greater than 100.4°F). Some people also have accompanying chills, general discomfort, head or body aches and mild respiratory symptoms. After 2-7 days, patients may develop a dry cough or difficulty breathing.
More information about SARS can be found on the World Health Organization (WHO) SARS Web site and the CDC SARS Web site.
Question 2: What causes SARS?
Answer 2: Scientists have detected a previously unrecognized virus that belongs to the coronavirus group of viruses. Coronaviruses commonly cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses in humans. This new coronavirus is the leading theory for the cause of SARS.
Question 3: How is SARS spread?
Answer 3: The primary way that SARS appears to spread is by close person-to-person contact. SARS may be spread by direct contact with infectious material (for example, respiratory secretions) from a person who has SARS. Potential ways in which SARS can be spread include touching the skin of other people or objects that are contaminated with infectious droplets and then touching your eye(s), nose, or mouth. This can happen when someone who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets onto themselves, other people, or nearby surfaces. This is why frequent hand washing is such an important part of preventing the spread of SARS.
Question 4: Can SARS be spread by food?
Answer 4: Current information does not suggest that SARS is transmitted by food. However, since the coronavirus that may be the cause of SARS may remain on hands and surfaces for several hours, food handlers should maintain strict hand-hygiene, including washing hands with soap and water after using the restroom, after sneezing or coughing, and any personal activities that involve touching the face.
Question 5: Can SARS be spread by food or animals imported from SARS affected areas?
Answer 5: Current information does not suggest that SARS is transmitted by any foods, products or animals, including those imported from SARS affected areas. FDA is in close contact with international public health and agricultural organizations, including CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and we will update our advice according to any new information.
As careful attention to hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of many infectious diseases, we recommend that food handlers and food processing industry employees maintain strict hand-hygiene, including washing their hands with soap and water after handling food items or contact with animals.
Question 6: Do food workers need to do anything special to protect themselves from SARS?
Answer 6: In general, food workers are not known to be at any greater risk for SARS than any other part of the population. Careful attention to hand washing and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands are important health precautions for everyone. Additional guidelines for SARS prevention can be found in the fact sheet called Basic Information about SARS.
If you develop a fever (greater than 100.4°F) or respiratory symptoms (for example, a cough or shortness of breath) within 10 days after traveling to a SARS affected area or after being in close contact with a SARS patient, you should stay home and contact a healthcare provider right away. More information on what to do if you have a fever after traveling to affected areas or after contact with someone who has SARS can be found at the CDC website for close contacts of SARS patients. Information about travel precautions can be found on CDC's travel advice page.
Question 7: What should food workers look for in the future regarding the SARS virus?
Answer 7: Each day we learn more about SARS, how this illness is spread and the newly identified coronavirus that may be the cause of SARS. Studies are underway to address important questions including how long the coronavirus survives in the environment and if SARS can be spread by contaminated food. FDA is in close contact with CDC and we will tailor and update our advice according to new information.
Question 8: Are alcohol hand gels an alternative to hand washing?
Answer 8: Alcohol-based hand gels are not intended as an alternative to hand washing in retail and food service establishments. Hand sanitizers that meet specific criteria described in the Food Code may be used in retail and food service establishments after proper hand washing.
Advice on SARS and Potential for Food Transmission May 29, 2003
