Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
International Studies and Programs | (940) 565-2197
Student Health & Wellness Center | (940) 565-2333
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-associated corona virus. SARS first appeared in Asia in 2003. During the 2003 outbreak more than 8,000 cases were reported with most being in Southeast Asia and Canada. Since 2004 there have been no further cases of SARS reported anywhere in the world.
The incubation period for SARS ranges from 2 to 10 days. Symptoms include high fever with headache, fatigue, chills and body aches. Symptoms can progress to pneumonia with cough and shortness of breath.
SARS appears to be spread by close person-person contact with respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Examples of close contact include caring for or living with someone who is infected, kissing, eating or drinking after someone and being within 3 feet and directly touching another person.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) during the 2003 outbreak did not recommend restricting travel or the quarantine of persons from areas affected by SARS, Persons arriving from areas affected by SARS were encouraged to monitor their temperature and watch for respiratory and flu-like symptoms for 10 days.
UNT policy during the 2003 outbreak included monitoring and assisting students arriving from SARS affected countries. Students were monitored for fever and development of respiratory symptoms for 10 days in collaboration with the SHWC.
UNT will monitor CDC and World Health Organization for guidelines and recommendations in the event that SARS should re-emerge. Currently there are no known cases of SARS any where in the world.
Information
For Center for Disease Control (CDC) information: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars
For World Health Organization (WHO) information: www.who.int/csr/sars/en
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International Studies and Programs Kendall Hall, 1307 Highland Street P.O. Box 311067 Denton, TX 76203-1067 USA Telephone: 940-565-2197 Fax: 940-565-4822 Email: international@unt.edu Website: www.international.unt.edu |
Student Health and Wellness Center 1155 Union Circle #305160 Denton, TX 76203-5017 USA Telephone: 940-565-2796 Fax: 940-565-4559 Email: shwcweb@unt.edu Website: www.healthcenter.unt.edu |
