What is SARS?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness that was first reported in Asia in February 2003. In early March, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global alert about SARS. Over the next few months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. By late July, however, no new cases were being reported and the illness was considered contained. According to WHO, 8,098 people worldwide became sick with SARS during this outbreak; of these, 774 died. For more information, check the WHO SARS Web site or visit other pages on CDC’s SARS Web site.