Adverse weather or emergency operation of the University
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Updated: 7/18/03
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an illness believed to be caused by a newly identified coronavirus and spread by close contact via droplet transmission (i.e., through coughing or sneezing). Initially diagnosed in Asia, cases have since been identified in Canada and the United States. Toronto and the surrounding Ontario area have reported 375 suspected or probable cases and 40 deaths. The New York State Department of Health reports 50 suspected or probable cases in New York state, but no cases have been reported in Monroe County. (The Centers for Disease Control provides an updated case definition of SARS, including symptom information.)
The CDC lifted its travel alert for Toronto on July 8. There are no longer any CDC travel alerts in place regarding SARS. See the CDC travel site for additional advice and recommendations.
The CDC has also issued an update for health care workers on the use of respirators to prevent transmission of SARS while caring for possible SARS patients.
For additional information, see the memo from Provost Charles E. Phelps regarding Commencement exercises and SARS protocols, or visit the resources below:
Feature: Edward Walsh, University professor of medicine and pediatrics, gives a SARS update on NPR's Talk of the Nation Science Friday (April 11, 2003)
