SARS Case Definition

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A suspected case is classified as having disease in a person with documented fever to imperative greater than 38 Centigrade; lower respiratory tract symptoms and contact with a person believed to have had SARS or a history of travel to areas with SARS.

A suspected case with (1) chest radiographic pneumonia, (2) acute respiratory distress syndrome or (3) an unexplained respiratory illness in death with autopsy findings consistent with pathology of ARDS without an identifiable cause is classified as a probable case.

The surveillance begins on 1 November 2002 to capture cases of atypical pneumonia in China are recognized as SARS.

Close contact: having cared, lived with or had a direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a suspect case of SARS.


Suspected Case

A person with an unexplained acute respiratory illness resulting in death after 1 November, 2002, but on whom no autopsy has been performed, and one or more of the following exposures during 10 days prior to onset of symptoms: a) contact with a person who is a suspect of SARS, b) history of travel to an area with local transmission of SARS, c) residing in area with recent local transmission of SARS.

Probable Case

1. A suspected case with radiographic evidence of infiltrates consistent with pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome on chest x-ray.
2. A suspect case of SARS coronavirus.
3. A suspect case with autopsy findings consistent with the pathology of ARDS without an identifiable cause.

Exclusion Criteria

A case should be excluded in an alternative diagnosis can fully explain the illness.

Reclassification of Cases

As SARS is currently a diagnosis of exclusion, the status of a reported case may change over time. A pattern should always be managed a clinically, regardless of their case status.
· A case initially classified a suspect or probable, for which an alternative diagnosis can fully explain the illness, should be ...