March 25, 2003

The Michigan Department of Community Health today announced two possible cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Michigan have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  A third case had also been reported to the CDC, but has been ruled out as a SARS case.  The two adult potential SARS cases involve individuals in Kent County who meet the SARS suspect case criteria established by the CDC.

Neither of the two individuals is hospitalized and both are in good condition.  Due to patient confidentiality, the individuals’ names, ages or other identifying information will not be released.  Appropriate specimens have been collected and are being routed through the Michigan Department of Community Health laboratory for delivery to the CDC. 

“The Michigan Department of Community Health has worked closely with physicians, local health departments and laboratories throughout the state to be on the lookout for potential cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome,” said Department of Community Health Chief Medical Executive, David R. Johnson, MD.  “This increased surveillance has been incredibly important in our efforts to detect these suspect cases, investigate them and ensure patients are cared for properly with minimal risk to other individuals.”

The CDC has issued multiple public health advisories concerning the recent outbreak of SARS.  SARS symptoms include fever (100.4 ° F. or higher) and respiratory difficulties such as coughing, shortness of breath or other difficulty breathing, developing on or after Feb. 1, 2003, in persons who have recently traveled to countries in Asia where the illness has been transmitted in community settings, or who have had close contact with ill persons who had recently traveled to those countries.  Individuals who have respiratory symptoms, fever, and have either of the aforementioned exposures should call their doctor.