SARS INFORMATION
WHAT IS SARS?
SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. It is a viral respiratory illness that first emerged in China in November 2002. It was not until cases were reported from Hong Kong and Vietnam in March 2003 that this new disease, and its global spread, was recognized. Owing to major global infection control efforts, the disease was contained by July 2003. Before its containment, SARS had spread to 29 countries and resulted in over 8000 cases and 774 deaths. The final report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated there were 164 probable and suspect cases in the United States, of which 8 had laboratory evidence of SARS. Two of these 8 cases were reported from California. All of these people had traveled to other parts of the world where SARS was occurring. SARS did not spread more widely in the United States. There were no deaths in this country. There were no reported cases in Humboldt County. The SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained; however, it is possible that the disease could re-emerge.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF SARS?
SARS is caused by a previously unknown coronavirus now called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The virus is a member of the Coronaviridae family, which also includes some of the viruses that cause the common cold. Coronaviruses have been found in many different animal species including birds and mammals. SARS-CoV is thought to have been introduced to humans from animals in Southern China.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SARS?
The initial symptoms of SARS are non-specific, making it difficult to differentiate from other viral respiratory illnesses. A 2 to 10 day incubation period is followed by an onset of symptoms that generally includes a high fever (temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F [>38.0 degrees C]), and may include muscle aches, headache, and dry cough. SARS may be associated with numerous other symptoms that also may include fever, muscle aches, headache, and dry cough. Most patients develop pneumonia. Intensive care has been required for a significant proportion of patients. Recovery can be prolonged.
HOW IS SARS SPREAD?
SARS seems to be spread primarily by close person-to-person contact through respiratory droplets and direct contact with body fluids of an infected person. The virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated with infectious droplets and then touches his or her mouth, now, or eye(s). In addition, it is possible that the SARS virus might spread more broadly through the air (airborne spread) or by other ways that are not now known. While the illness can be highly contagious, its overall rate of spread is slow enough that it can often be contained with early recognition and aggressive implementation of containment activities.
HOW IS SARS DIAGNOSED?
Consideration of a SARS diagnosis is triggered by a history of contact with someone who has been in a community with SARS cases, or by clusters of cases in a high-risk population. Currently, several laboratory tests can be used to detect SARS-CoV. There is no vaccine. CDC recommends that patients with SARS receive the same treatment that would be used for a patient with any serious community-acquired atypical pneumonia. SARS-CoV is being tested against various antiviral drugs to see if an effective treatment can be found.
WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT SARS?
Fortunately, the global outbreak has been contained. However, there is much about SARS that remains poorly understood. Ensuring rapid detection and management of SARS cases, should the disease re-emerge, will require vigilance and preparedness. CDC continues to work with other federal agencies, state and local health departments, and healthcare organizations to plan for rapid recognition and response if person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV recurs. CDC has developed recommendations and guidelines to help public health and healthcare officials plan for and respond quickly to the reappearance of SARS in a healthcare facility or community.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Information about SARS has developed rapidly. In order to provide the most current information possible, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services encourages those interested to review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s SARS website at the link provided below. Information in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean are available at this site. Additional information can be found at the World Health Organization and California Department of Health Services web sites.
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