How does the WHO define a new outbreak of SARS?
A new outbreak of SARS is defined as the occurrence of one or more clinically compatible, laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS in any country based on definitive laboratory investigations. The reappearance of SARS in the human population would be considered a global public health emergency. For the purposes of the international reporting of SARS in the post-outbreak period, Member States are requested to inform WHO of laboratory-confirmed cases only. (Section 3.5, WHO Aug 14, www.who.int/csr/sars/postoutbreak). Daniel R. Lucey, MD, MPH Director, Center for Biologic Counterterrorism & Emerging Diseases Institutes for Innovation in Medicine Washington Hospital Center 110 Irving St NW Washington DC 20010 Consultant to the DC Department of Health Consultant to DC Hospital Association e-mail: Daniel.R.Lucey@Medstar.
A new outbreak of SARS is defined as the occurrence of one or more clinically compatible, laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS in any country based on definitive laboratory investigations. The reappearance of SARS in the human population would be considered a global public health emergency. For the purposes of the international reporting of SARS in the post-outbreak period, Member States are requested to inform WHO of laboratory-confirmed cases only. (Section 3.5, WHO Aug 14, www.who.int/csr/sars/postoutbreak). Daniel R.
