April 1, 2003

The Michigan Department of Community Health today provided an update on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Michigan.  The Department had previously reported two suspect cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  One of these cases has been ruled out as a SARS case and has been found instead to be influenza.  One additional suspect case of SARS has been reported to the CDC, bringing Michigan’s current total suspect SARS cases to two.  The two cases are individuals in Kent County who meet the SARS suspect case criteria established by the CDC.

“There is no evidence of a connection between the two suspect SARS cases in Kent County,” said Michigan Department of Community Health Chief Medical Executive David R. Johnson, M.D.  “Both of these individuals had traveled independently to Asia.  Given the ease of international travel, it should not be surprising to see cases in Michigan.”

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 have either been sent to the CDC or are being routed through the Michigan Department of Community Health laboratory for delivery to the CDC.  These cases may remain listed as “suspect” cases until the CDC further identifies SARS and develops diagnostic tests for it. 

In addition to the cases in Michigan residents, the Department of Community Health continues to monitor the health status of a New Hampshire resident currently hospitalized in Michigan that is considered to be a suspect SARS case.  The CDC considers this case to be a New Hampshire case and is not reflected in Michigan’s case count.  

The Michigan Department of Community Health continues to work closely with physicians, local health departments and laboratories throughout the state to be on the lookout for potential cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.  This increased surveillance has assisted the Department in detecting suspect cases, investigating them and ensuring patients are cared for properly with minimal risk to others.

The CDC has issued multiple public health advisories concerning the recent outbreak of SARS.  SARS symptoms include fever (100.5 ° 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.