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Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Disease definition
A rare pulmonary disease induced by SARS-CoV coronavirus infection, with a reported incubation period varying from 2 to 7 days. Patients present flu-like symptoms, including fever, malaise, myalgia, headache, diarrhoea, and rigors. Dry, nonproductive, cough and dyspnea are frequently reported. Severe cases evolve rapidly, progressing to respiratory distress and failure, requiring intensive care. Mortality rate is 10%. The disease appeared in 2002 in southern China, subsequently spreading in 2003 to 26 countries. Reported human-to-human transmission occurred in Toronto (Canada), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, and Hanoi (Viet Nam).
ORPHA:140896
Classification level: DisorderA summary on this disease is available in Deutsch (2020) Español (2020) Français (2020) Italiano (2020) Nederlands (2020) Português (2020)
Detailed information
General public
- Article for general public
- Français (2015) - Minist Santé et Prévention
Disease review articles
- Review article
- English (2014) - ECDC


Additional information