Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home
HAN

 

 

 

This is an official
CDC HEALTH UPDATE

Distributed via Health Alert Network
Saturday, March 22, 2003, 18:18 EST (6:18 PM EST)
CDCHAN-00126-03-03-22-UPD-N

Updated Interim U.S. SARS Case Definition

For purposes of case finding and surveillance in the United States, the March 17th CDC SARS case definition has been updated as follows:

· Temperature must be measured

· SARS areas are limited to those with suspected or documented community transmission; this differs from the WHO definition as it excludes areas where secondary transmission has been limited to only health care workers or direct household contacts. Note: the list of SARS areas will be updated as new information becomes available.

Suspected Case:

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

· Measured temperature >100.4 °F (>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 suspected or documented 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 and travel to a SARS area or a person under investigation or suspected of having SARS

* Close contact is defined as having cared for, having lived with, or having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and /or body fluids of a patient suspected of having SARS.

List of areas with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong province, Peoples' Republic of China; 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.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


HAN Message Types
  • Health Alert: Conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention. Example: HAN00001
  • Health Advisory: Provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action. Example: HAN00316
  • Health Update: Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action. Example: HAN00309
  • Info Service: Provides general information that is not necessarily considered to be of an emergent nature. Example: HAN00319

 

## This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers, Public Information Officers, Epidemiologists and HAN Coordinators as well as Clinician organizations ##

You have received this message based upon the information contained within our emergency notification database. If you have a different or additional e-mail or fax address that you would like us to use, please contact your State-based Health Alert Network program at your State or local health department.


Additional Resources
Contact Us:
Ready.gov - Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed.
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - Contact CDC-INFO

A-Z Index

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #