SARS is a newly emerging respiratory illness characterized by sudden onset of high fever, difficulty breathing, and recent travel to Hong Kong; to all of mainland China; Taiwan; Singapore; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Toronto, or close contact with a person with SARS.  An estimated 8% of people with SARS die.  There is no effective medication to treat the disease.  Over 7,700 cases have been reported in many eastern countries and in Canada.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) is recommending that non-essential travel plans be rescheduled to countries experiencing SARS.

Public Health Updates:
China reports ninth recent SARS case. (pdf)
April 26, 2004 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Update (pdf) 
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) (CDC)
- New Possible SARS Case Reported in Beijing (April 22, 2004) (CDC)
- SARS Reappears (NYSDOH)
May 9, 2003: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
SARS update (May 30, 2003) (pdf)
Second case of suspected SARS in Westchester.
First case of SARS in Westchester. 

General Information:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) (CDC)

Press Releases:
July 8, 2003: Third case of possible SARS reported in Westchester County.  No specific actions need to be taken by the public. (pdf format)
April 28, 2003: Second case of possible SARS reported in Westchester County. No specific actions need to be taken by the public.  (PDF format).
April 25, 2003: Westchester County prepared to handle SARS cases. Health commissioner outlines county response plan. (PDF format)
April 3, 2003: First case of SARS in Westchester County.

Fact Sheets:
The Facts About SARS. (pdf) 
The Facts About SARS - Large Print. (pdf)
Frequently asked questions about SARS. Centers for Disease Control website
Español: Preguntas más frecuentes acerca del SRAS (CDC)

SARS in Other Languages:
View information in other languages (CDC)

Information for Travelers:
Centers for Disease Control website - Information for travelers.
Westchester County Department of Health - Health Alert to Travelers (pdf format)

SARS Information in other languages: Click here (CDC)

Centers for Disease Control SARS Toll Free Public Hotlines:
English: 888-246-2675
Spanish: 888-246-2857
TTY: 866-874-2646