Subject: Updated Fact Sheet: Severe Acute 
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)


The U.S. Department of State encourages American
citizens traveling or residing abroad to familiarize
themselves with the information available from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
World Health Organization (WHO) about Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). This Fact Sheet updates the
March 21, 2003, version and reflects changes in the
geographic spread of SARS cases and includes additional
information. In light of the evolving nature of the SARS
situation, American citizens should regularly consult
the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/ and the WHO website
http://www.who.int/ for updates.

In Hanoi, Vietnam and Hong Kong, the appearance of
SARS has had an impact on medical facilities, due to the
closing and/or quarantine of hospitals and the spread of
the disease to health care workers.  Medical evacuation
of SARS patients currently is not available by
commercial carrier; additionally, the number of
countries willing to accept SARS patients is very
limited.

Prospective parents of adoptees from mainland China
and Vietnam should consult the appropriate link on
adoptions at the CDC website,
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/adoption.htm.

In addition to Vietnam, Hong Kong, mainland China and
Singapore, the CDC has received reports of outbreaks of
SARS elsewhere in Asia and in Europe and North America,
including Canada, the United States, Thailand, Germany,
and Switzerland.  Most cases appear to involve health-
care workers caring for SARS patients and close family
contacts. CDC is working closely with WHO and country
partners to define the origin of this infection, to
track patterns of its transmission, and to determine
effective strategies for its control and prevention.
Local health authorities should be notified of all
suspected cases of SARS.

The CDC has identified the following three criteria,
which must ALL be present, by which a potential SARS
case may be identified, for those with the onset of
illness after February 1, 2003:

--Fever greater than 380 C (100.40F), AND

--One or more signs or symptoms of respiratory illness
including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing, hypoxia (low oxygen in the blood), x-ray
findings of pneumonia, or respiratory distress, AND

-- One or more of the following within 2-7 days of the
onset of symptoms: Travel to mainland China, Hong Kong,
Singapore, or Vietnam; and/or close contact*, with a
person who has been infected with SARS (*close contact
means having cared for, lived with, or having had direct
contact with respiratory secretions (such as coughs and
sneezes) and body fluids of a person with SARS).

The incubation period between exposure to infection and
the development of symptoms appears to range from 2-7
days. For more specific information regarding case
definition updates and empiric treatment clinicians
should consult and monitor the CDC's and WHO's web
sites.

6. Currently, prevention of new cases is based on
individuals avoiding close contact with SARS-infected
persons, as described above. Persons matching the case
description for SARS should be promptly evaluated by
medical personnel and, if indicated, admitted to a
hospital.  Persons suspected of having SARS should limit
their interactions outside hospital settings.

Contact Information for the CDC:

Public Inquiries:
English (888) 246-2675
Spanish (888) 246-2857
TTY (866) 874-2646
Mon-Fri 8am-11pm EST
Sat-Sun 10am-8pm EST

Address:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30333
USA(404) 639-3311