Introduction

SARS (2003) Outbreak in Canada

A report was commissioned by the Canadian Federal Government after the 2003 outbreak of SARS in Canada. The virus highlighted many issues prevalent in Canada's current system that requires attention so that Canada can be properly prepared for the next global health crisis.

"The SARS experience highlighted weaknesses in Canada’s public health system. Many issues to do with the clinical system and clinical/public health interface were also thrown into high relief. Aside from the lack of surge capacity to deal with this crisis situation, problems emerged with respect to timely access to laboratory results, information sharing, data ownership, and epidemiologic investigation of the outbreak. Communication to the public was sometimes inconsistent, and it was not always clear who was in charge of the outbreak response ...

The SARS experience illustrated that Canada is not adequately prepared to deal with a true pandemic ...

Enhancement of surveillance mechanisms, better coordination among the various levels of government and institutions for outbreak containment, improved public communications strategies, and major increases in expert human resources are just some of the changes needed if Canada is to be better prepared for future health crises" (Canada & Naylor, 2003, p.20)