Abstract

The surveillance case definition for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has been updated for the United States to take account of the results of laboratory tests for SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) that are becoming increasingly available (1) (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm52d429a1.htm). Reported cases of SARS in the US will continue to be classified as suspect or probable; however, these cases can be further classified as laboratory-confirmed or -negative if laboratory data are available and complete, or as laboratory-indeterminate if specimens are not available or testing is incomplete. Obtaining convalescent serum samples to make a final determination about infection with SARS-CoV is critical.