Health

Update

UPDATED INTERIM U.S. SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS) CASE DEFINITION

The previous CDC SARS case definition (published March 22, 2003) has been updated as follows:

• Areas with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS have been expanded to include all of mainland China in addition toareas previously listed.

Suspected Case:

Respiratory illness of unknown etiology with onset since February 1, 2003, and the following criteria:

• Measured temperature 100.5 °F (>38° C) AND
• One or more clinical findings of respiratory illness (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hypoxia or radiographicfindings of either pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome) AND
• Travel within 10 days of onset of symptoms to an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS (see list below;excludes areas with secondary cases limited to healthcare workers or direct household contacts) OR
• Close contact* within 10 days of onset of symptoms with either a person with a respiratory illness who traveled to a SARS area or aperson known to be a suspect SARS case.

*Close contact is defined as having cared for, having lived with or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids

of a patient known to be a suspect SARS case.

Areas with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS:

Peoples’ Republic of China (i.e., mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region); Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore.

Note: Suspect cases with either radiographic evidence of pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome; or evidence of unexplained

respiratory distress syndrome by autopsy are designated “probable” cases by the WHO case definition.