Browsing: SARS

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which first emerged in southern China in 2002. SARS is characterized by flu-like symptoms, including high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, which can rapidly progress to severe pneumonia and, in some cases, organ failure. The virus spreads through close person-to-person contact, primarily via respiratory droplets. The 2002–2003 SARS outbreak led to over 8,000 cases and nearly 800 deaths worldwide, before it was contained through public health measures. While the outbreak was successfully controlled, the virus demonstrated the global threat posed by emerging infectious diseases.