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Updated Interim U.S. Case Definition of Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
April 10, 2003, 11:00 AM EST
The previous CDC SARS case definition (published March 29, 2003) has been
updated to clarify that 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) AND
- 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) 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 a person
known to be a suspect SARS case.
† 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 and/or
body fluids of a patient known to be 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.
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