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Diseases A-Z
SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome)
Updated January 29, 2007
On this page
SARS is no longer circulating among humans. This page will be updated to include more active links if the SARS situation changes.
Latest SARS Alerts from CDC
SARS usually begins with a fever greater than 100.4°F [>38.0°C]. Other symptoms may include headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing.
We strongly emphasize that anyone who thinks they may have SARS should not just drop in to their doctor. They need to call ahead and arrange a time to be examined, in a place and manner where medical staff can protect themselves and other patients.
Before traveling, see the CDC travel advisory page for more information.
More info/links
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Information for clinicians
U.S. physicians should maintain a greater index of suspicion for SARS in patients who:
- require hospitalization for radiographically-confirmed pneumonia or acute respiratory distress dyndrome (ARD) and
- who have a history of travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan (or close contact with an ill person with a history of recent travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan in the 10 days before onset of symptoms.
Patients meeting these criteria should be considered at high risk for SARS-CoV infection and the following actions should be taken:
- Immediate and appropriate isolation precautions for SARS (i.e., contact and airborne precautions along with eye protection)
- Prompt reporting to the state or local health department
- Prompt testing for evidence of SARS-CoV infection as part of the diagnostic evaluation
- The health department should identify, evaluate and monitor relevant contacts of the patient, as indicated. In particular, the health status of household contacts or persons who provided care to symptomatic patients should be assessed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Disease reporting and specimen collection
Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of SARS to local health departments immediately, day or night. On weekends, evenings and holidays, call 971-673-1111 to reach the state health department doctor on call.
Disease reporting form for health-care practitioners (PDF 42K)
Go to our disease reporting page for information on how to report and for telephone numbers of local health departments.
Specimen collection
Reagents have expired; there is no current need to make up more. At present, no SARS testing is available.
For county health departments:
Case report form (January 2005, PDF 221K)
For reportable diseases lacking Oregon-specific investigative guidelines or case report forms, please contact the epidemiologist on call for assistance.
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