KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County is announcing one new suspected case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in King County residents. The total number of suspected SARS cases in King County is now five.

"Only persons who have fever and respiratory illnesses within 10 days of travel to certain countries in Asia or contact with ill travelers from these countries need to take special precautions. The risk to the general population is extremely low," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

The new suspected case involves a 10-month-old female who recently traveled to Hong Kong. The person had a relatively mild illness and currently is doing well. All previous suspected SARS cases involving King County residents have recovered.

"As we have continually stated, the current definition of SARS is intentionally broad, and it is likely that not all people currently classified as cases will have SARS," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Chief of Public Health's Communicable Disease Section. "We continue to work very hard in thoroughly investigating suspected cases."

Today, Public Health is launching new SARS webpages with information for the general public and the medical community: www.metrokc.gov/health/sars. Public Health continues to inform the medical community regarding SARS management and screening guidelines for providers, as well as to inform the general public.

SARS is a new pneumonia-like disease that appears to have emerged from parts of Asia. The cause is unknown, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization say there is some evidence it may be a corona virus, the same family of viruses that cause the common cold.

The definition of a SARS case is evolving as more is learned about this emerging disease. Currently, it includes the following:

• Measured fever of 100.5 degrees or higher.
• Symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing and
• Recent travel to Hong Kong or mainland China; Hanoi, Vietnam; Singapore; or
• Close contact with persons with respiratory illness who have traveled to any of these locations