What is SARS?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a type of highly contagious pneumonia caused by a previously unknown virus, a so called 'atypical pneumonia". Other causes of "atypical pneumonia" are influenza, Chlamydia, mycoplasma and other viruses.
"Typical" pneumonia is caused by more common organisms such as bacteria like streptococcus.

Case definition of SARS (according to the WHO)

Suspected Case

  1. A person with fever of 38°or higher AND
  2. One or more respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing) AND
  3. Close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with SARS (in the previous 10 days)

Probable Case

  1. A suspected case according to the above definition plus
  2. X-ray evidence of pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome OR
  3. Autopsy findings consistent with respiratory distress syndrome without an identifiable cause

Close Contact means

  1. Having cared for or
  2. Having lived with or
  3. Having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of a person with SARS

Social Contact means, you have not lived with, cared for or worked closely with a suspected or confirmed case of SARS but you may have had brief social encounters with a suspected or confirmed case of SARS.
This type of encounter is unlikely to be high risk.

HKU criteria of reporting SARS cases

1. "Confirmed" Case: Cases admitted into SARS ward of HA hospitals and reported to HA SARS Registry.*
2. Suspected Case: Cases admitted into suspected SARS case ward of HA hospitals.

* Criteria for reporting to HA SARS Registry (22/4/2003)

  1. Radiographic evidence of infiltrates consistent with pneumonia, and
  2. Fever >38°C or history of such at any time in the past 2 days, and
  3. At least 2 of the following :
    1. History of chills in the past 2 days
    2. Cough (new or increased cough) or breathing difficulty
    3. General malaise or myalgia
    4. Known history of exposure

Exclusion criteria
A case should be excluded if an alternative diagnosis can fully explain their illness
 
Exclusion criteria
Does not completely fulfil the above definition but still considered to be highly likely of SARS on clinical judgment
3. Close Contact : To protect the University community from getting infected within the University, we adopt an extra cautious approach in applying this principle to University staff or students :
 
Close contacts are those who have been working in a small confined area with a suspected or confirmed case or who have had prolonged hours of face to face interaction at close distance with the suspected or confirmed case.
 
Social contacts are those who have engaged in relatively brief hours of social contact with a suspected or confirmed case.
 
Remote social contacts are those who have been in the same room as the suspected or confirmed case for brief hours without any social interaction..