What is SARS?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS is an infectious disease of the respiratory system characterized by inflammation of the lungs, called pneumonia.

SARS is identified by a fever higher than 38 degrees celsius and one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. SARS is spread from person to person but only through close contact. In some cases the illness can climb to severe respiratory difficulty and death in just a few days.

On April 21st, about 3,900 people were infected by SARS around the world. The 13 new deaths — reported by China's Health Ministry — brought the global death toll to at least 217, according to the World Health Organization.

How it started, how it spread