Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – update

On 15 March 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an atypical pneumonia of unknown aetiology, is now “a worldwide health threat” (1). As of 19 March, 264 suspect and probable cases have been reported to WHO since 1 February 2003 (2). The surveillance case definitions have been modified (table).