Authors

Stephanie J. Schrag, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
John T. Brooks, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Chris Van Beneden, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Umesh D. Parashar, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Patricia M. Griffin, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Larry J. Anderson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
William J. Bellini, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Robert F. Benson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dean D. Erdman, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Alexander Klimov, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Thomas G. Ksiazek, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Teresa C. T. Peret, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Deborah F. Talkington, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
W. Lanier Thacker, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Maria L. Tondella, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Jacquelyn S. Sampson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Allen W. Hightower, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dale F. Nordenberg, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Brian D. Plikaytis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ali S. Khan, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Nancy E. Rosenstein, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tracee A. Treadwell, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cynthia G. Whitney, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Anthony E. Fiore, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tonji M. Durant, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Joseph F. Perz, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Annemarie Wasley, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Daniel Feikin, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Joy L. Herndon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
William A. Bower, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Barbara W. Klibourn, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Deborah A. Levy, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Victor G. Coronado, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Joanna Buffington, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Clare A. Dykewicz, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Rima F. Khabbaz, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mary E. Chamberland, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Document Type

Article

Journal Title

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Publication Date

2004

Volume

10

Abstract

In response to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the United States established national surveillance using a sensitive case definition incorporating clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory criteria. Of 1,460 unexplained respiratory illnesses reported by state and local health departments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from March 17 to July 30, 2003, a total of 398 (27%) met clinical and epidemiologic SARS case criteria. Of these, 72 (18%) were probable cases with radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Eight (2%) were laboratory-confirmed SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infections, 206 (52%) were SARS-CoV negative, and 184 (46%) had undetermined SARS-CoV status because of missing convalescent-phase serum specimens. Thirty-one percent (124/398) of case-patients were hospitalized; none died. Travel was the most common epidemiologic link (329/398, 83%), and mainland China was the affected area most commonly visited. One case of possible household transmission was reported, and no laboratory-confirmed infections occurred among healthcare workers. Successes and limitations of this emergency surveillance can guide preparations for future outbreaks of SARS or respiratory diseases of unknown etiology.

ISSN

1080-6040

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 1.0 License.

Rights

U.S. Government Work

Included in

Epidemiology Commons

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