The quickly spreading lung disease SARS is cause for alertness for the UvA, since our university has many international contacts involving staff and students.

The College van Bestuur wishes to impress upon staff members and students with foreign contacts that they should be aware of the spread of the disease, and take precautions where necessary. They recommend postponing visits to risk areas and recalling any staff members or students that are already in those areas. Furthermore, they advice using restaint when inviting guests from risk areas, and postponing already planned visits where possible.

The Ministry of Health advices people who have been in potential contact with a SARS victim to be alert for the following symptoms: sudden high fevers, aching muscles, coughing, an aching throat and/or shortness of breath. Persons with these symptoms should report to their physicians and notify them of the possibility of SARS.

More information and advice on SARS and the risk areas, can be found on the websites of the World Health Organization (at http://www.who.int/) and the Ministry of Health (at http://www.minvws.nl/zoeken.html?folder=549).