World, national and regional disease control organizations are continuing to investigate the appearance of severe acute respiratory disease (SARS). In February, several clusters of SARS were reported to the World Health Organization, which is currently reviewing 167 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has joined in the investigation.
Although no cases have been reported in the WWAMI area, the King County Health Department has issued advisories about SARS symptoms and containment to local health-care professionals because of the high volume of international travel between Seattle and the Far East.
SARS appears to have originated in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Guangdong Province in China, and Hanoi, Vietnam. The CDC and the Department of State suggest that non-essential travel to these areas be postponed. Other cases, tied to travelers from these areas, have been reported in Canada, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Most transmissions so far have been to health-care workers or to close contacts.
SARS is characterized by a fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius, one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, and either recent travel to areas with documented transmissions of SARS or close contact with a person diagnosed with SARS. The incubation period is two to seven days.
Local health authorities have asked to be notified of suspected cases of SARS.
March 21, 2003