Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Communicable viral disease caused by a new strain of corona virus, which differs considerably in genetic structure from previously recognized coronavirus.

Problem statement Earliest case was detected in china in 2002 by health care worker Spread to Hongkong, Singaporem, Vietnam, taiwan and Toronto in August 2003, 8422 cases with 916 deaths reported from 30 countries.

Incubation period :-2 to 7 days Mode of transmission :- close contact with the patient infected material Infectious resp. droplets

Case definition suspect case : - 1. Person presenting with High fever (38* C) and Cough or breathing difficulty and one or more of the following exposure during 10 days prior to onset of symptoms Close contact with a person who is a suspect or probable case of SARS. History of travel to a SARS affected area. Residing in an affected area.

2. A person with an unexplained acute resp 2. A person with an unexplained acute resp. illness resulting in death no autopsy performed and one or more of the following exposure during 10 days prior to onset of symptoms Close contact with a person who is a suspect or probable case of SARS. History of travel to a SARS affected area. Residing in an affected area.

Probable case 1. a suspect case with radiographic evidence of infiltrates consistence with pneumonia or resp distress syndrome on chest x ray 2. a suspect with autopsy finding consistence with the pathology of resp distress syndrome without an identifiable cause.

Epidemiological aspects Maximum virus excretion on 10th days of illness. Pts is no more infective 10 days after fever has resolved. Children are rarely affected by SARS. Not found in infants of mothers who were infected during pregnancy. International spread has been associated with air travel and crew.

Prevention Prompt identification of persons with SARS their movt. and contacts Effective isolation in hospital Protection of medical staff. Comprehensive identification and isolation of suspected cases Exit screening of international travelers Timely and accurate reporting and sharing of information.

Treatment No specific treatment Antiviral agent ribavirin given I.V. with high dose of steroids.