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Abstract Full Text

Article: Ksiazek TG et al. A Novel Coronavirus Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. N Engl J Med 2003;348:1953-66.

Supplementary Appendix 1

Updated Interim U.S. Case Definition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)*

The previous Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) SARS case definition, published on March 29, 2003, was updated on April 10, 2003, to clarify that the CDC's definition of travel to areas of suspected or documented community transmission of SARS includes airport transit.

Suspected Case:

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

Measured temperature greater than 100.4°F (greater than 38°C)

One or more clinical findings of respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hypoxia, or radiographic findings of either pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome)

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 health care workers or direct household contacts)

Close contact† within 10 days of onset of symptoms with either a person with a respiratory illness who traveled to a SARS area or a person known to have a case of suspected SARS

* Travel includes transit in an airport in an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS.

† Close contact is defined as having cared for, having lived with, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a patient known to have a case of suspected SARS.

Areas with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS: People's Republic of China (i.e., mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region); Hanoi, Vietnam; and Singapore.

Note: Suspected cases with either radiographic evidence of pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome; or with evidence of unexplained respiratory distress syndrome by autopsy are designated “probable” cases by the World Health Organization case definition.

Abstract Full Text