Due to increased world travel, the School District wanted to provide families with information regarding the SARS condition. This information is being provided in order to increase your knowledge and alleviate your concerns.

Cause: SARS is a condition caused by a virus, originally diagnosed in Asia (China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore). It is thought to be a virus related to the same virus that causes the common cold. Cases of this condition have now been diagnosed in North America and Europe. It should be known that few suspected cases have been reported among children less than 15 years of age.

Symptoms: Those suspected to have the SARS condition, will have the following symptoms:

• Measured temperature 100.5° F or higher AND

• One or more clinical findings of respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hypoxia, or radiographic findings of either pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome) AND

• Travel within 10 days of onset of symptoms to an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS OR

• Close contact within 10 days of onset of symptoms with either a person with a respiratory illness who traveled to a SARS area or a person known to have a suspected SARS case.

Spread: The condition is spread through close contact. Close contact is defined as having cared for, having lived with, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of a patient know to be a suspect SARS case. If a student has traveled to or had contact with someone who has traveled to one of the areas affected by SARS, they should notify school officials. Currently travel advisories are not in effect for any travel abroad or in the United States.

Incubation Period: The incubation period of SARS is typically 2-7 days; however, isolated reports have suggested an incubation period as long as 10 days. The duration of time before or after onset of symptoms during which a patient with SARS can transmit the disease to other is unknown.

Prevention/Control:       

• One should carefully follow recommendations for hand hygiene (e.g., frequent hand washing, or use of alcohol-based hand rubs), particularly after contact with body fluids (e.g., respiratory secretions, urine, or feces). See http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene for more details on hand hygiene.

• Sharing of eating utensils, towels, and bedding should be avoided.

• Students who have possibly been exposed to SARS will be checked into the Health Office for 10 days following the possible exposure. Their temperature will be taken and they will be observed for symptoms of respiratory infection.  This is in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Questions regarding the SARS condition should be directed to your personal physician. You may also contact your child’s assigned school nurse with any school or health concerns.