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Cruise lines step up SARS screening for Toronto passengers
MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- At least four major cruise lines are asking passengers who have recently been to Toronto to be medically screened before boarding as a way to head off severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line and Princess Cruises already had denied boarding to anyone who has been in or traveled through mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Vietnam because of the disease. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week issued a travel alert to Toronto -- where the majority of Canada's 142 probable SARS cases have shown up -- the cruise lines expanded their advisory. "We're following the CDC guidelines," said Julie Benson, a spokeswoman for Princess. As with the other cruises, Princess will not deny boarding to its guests from Toronto, but will simply ask them to go through a medical screening, Benson said. Passengers are given questionnaires in the terminal, asking them whether they have had contact with any known or suspect SARS case or health care worker, she said. Disney is asking any passengers coming from Toronto to meet with the ship's nurse before boarding, said spokesman Mark Jaronski. "We talk to them as they check in," he said. The nurse will then ask them questions about their travel to the Canadian city. As of Saturday, a total of 4,836 cases with 293 deaths have occurred in 26 countries. This represents an increase of 190 new cases and 19 deaths since Friday. The new deaths occurred in Canada (3), China (7), Hong Kong (6), the Philippines (1), and Singapore (2). In general, SARS begins with a fever of at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). Other symptoms may include headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, body aches, and mild respiratory symptoms, according to the CDC. After two to seven days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing, the CDC says. SARS appears to spread primarily through close person-to-person contact, the CDC says. Most cases have involved people who cared for or lived with someone with SARS, or had direct contact with infectious material from an infected person. As a result, closed-in areas such as subways, buses, airplanes and cruise ships have come under special scrutiny as officials work to stem the disease's spread.
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