[justamom]

The previous CDC SARS case definition (published March 29, 2003) has been updated to clarify that CDC's definition of travel to areas of suspected or documented community transmission of SARS includes airport transit.

Suspected Case:

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

Measured temperature greater than 100.4° F (greater than 38° C) AND


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) AND


Travel† within 10 days of onset of symptoms to an area with documented or suspected 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 who traveled to a SARS area or a person known to be a suspect SARS case.
† Travel includes transit in an airport in an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS

* Close contact is defined as having cared for, having lived with, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of a patient known to be suspect SARS case.

Areas with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS: Peoples' Republic of China (i.e., mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region); 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.