Severe acute respiratory syndrome, known as SARS, was first reported in Asia in 2003, after a Chinese-American businessman died from a mysterious illness. Soon, many of the people who had treated this man became sick with the same respiratory symptoms. SARS quickly spread across Southeast Asia and China, and caused widespread fear of a global epidemic when it reached Toronto, Canada. In all, more than 8,000 people became ill, and nearly 800 died. Although SARS was quickly contained, future outbreaks remain a threat. SARS, Third Edition traces the history of the 2003 outbreak and its aftermath, describing the life cycle of the SARS virus, how the disease is spread, and the signs and symptoms. This revised edition includes updated graphics, recent discoveries about the SARS virus, and information about the progress of a SARS vaccine.