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The SARS virus is a coronavirus similar to pneumonia that appeared in late 2002 and sickened 8000 (killing 750) before disappearing in the summer of 2003. It is spread by touching or breathing infected droplets sprayed by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include cough, difficulty breathing, fever, and other flu-like symptoms. It can be treated by antibiotics, some antivirals, steroids, oxygen, and the liquid blood of the recovered.
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Reports of a pneumonia-like illness in Guangdong, China since November 2002 begin to surface.
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The Chinese government was accused of hiding information and being secretive about cases of SARS throughout the pandemic.
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Vietnam alerts WHO (World Health Organization) of a strange disease in a Hanoi hospital.
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The WHO issues a global health alert after the disease spreads to doctors in Vietnam and Hong Kong.
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The WHO issues a travel advisory after more cases are identified in Singapore and China.
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80% of cases are traced to a single doctor treating the disease in Guangdong.
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Schools close in Hong Kong and Singapore as quarantines go into effect in Hong Kong and China.
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Dr. Carlo Urbani, the WHO doctor who discovered the virus, dies of the disease in Thailand.
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The WHO arrives to investigate in Guangdong as a SARS epidemic is declared in Indonesia.
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The virus is officially named SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
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The WHO declares the outbreak is officially contained.
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There is currently a MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in Saudi Arabia. The virus may be different, but it is closely related to SARS.
