Replies

When it spreads in the U.S

Current count 228 (as of April 20); 45 of those are in California.
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/sars.htm

That compares with 132 cases in all of Canada and 178 in Singapore.

Note - as US numbers have increased, the CDC has decided to change its definition of SARS to lower the count. Under the new definition, US numbers would be 38 or 39.

Note - as US numbers have increased, the CDC has decided to change its definition of SARS to lower the count. Under the new definition, US numbers would be 38 or 39.

You must mean the two categories 'Suspect' and 'Probable':

        Total  Suspect  Probable
        Cases  Cases    Cases     

Total    228    190      38

Here's the official:

"Updated Interim U.S. Case Definition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)"

from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/casedefinition.htm

The previous CDC SARS case definition (published April 16, 2003) has been updated as follows:

Reported U.S. cases of SARS will be classified as suspect or probable based on the criteria outlined below.
Toronto, Canada has been added to the areas with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS.

Suspect 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, or hypoxia) 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 a person known to be a suspect SARS case.

Probable Case
A 'suspect case' with one of the following:

Radiographic evidence of pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome
Autopsy findings consistent with respiratory distress syndrome without an identifiable cause

†Travel includes transit in an airport in an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS.
Areas with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS: People's Republic of China (i.e., mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region); Hanoi, Vietnam; Singapore; and Toronto, Canada.
*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.