Information on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) can change very quickly. For the most up-to-date information, please visit:

  The Department of State SARS Fact Sheet. We also have country-specific information.

  Centers for Disease Control. Their FAQ is particularly useful.

  World Health Organization; follow the links on the right side of the page under "Disease Outbreaks."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the following criteria, which must all be present, by which a potential SARS case may be identified:

Suspect case

  A person presenting after November 1, 2002 with history of high fever (> 38 C or 100.4 F) and


  Cough or breathing difficulty and


  One or more of the following exposures during the 10 days prior to onset of symptoms: close contact (having cared for, lived with, or had direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a suspect or probable case of SARS) with a person who is a suspect or probable case of SARS; history of travel to an area with recent local transmission of SARS; residing in an area with recent local transmission of SARS



Probable Case

  A suspect case with radiographic evidence of infiltrates consistent with pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) on chest X-ray (CXR).


  A suspect case of SARS that is positive for SARS coronavirus by one or more assays.


  A suspect case with autopsy findings consistent with the pathology of RDS without an identifiable cause.


Currently, prevention of new cases is based on individuals avoiding close contact with SARS-infected persons, as described above. Persons matching the case description for SARS should be promptly evaluated by medical personnel and, if indicated, admitted to a hospital. Persons suspected of having SARS should limit their interactions outside hospital settings.

If you suspect that you may have SARS, you should see a doctor immediately. To date, there is no antibody test for SARS. People who are suspected of having caught the virus are given a blood test to determine if there is a presence of an inflammatory disease. Depending on the symptoms of the patient, a chest X-ray may then be performed.



The following is information regarding hospitals in the Tokyo Metropolitan area where the blood test can be done (follow these links for information for people in Sapporo, Osaka/Kobe, Fukuoka and Okinawa):


Tokyo Metropolitan (Toritsu) Hiroo Hospital
2-34-10 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Tel: 03-3444-1181)
Hours of reception: 9:00 - 11:00
Appointments can be made by calling 03-3446-8331


Tokyo Metropolitan (Toritsu) Bokuto Hospital
4-23-15 Kotobashi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo (Tel: 03-3633-6151)
Hours of reception: 8:30 - 11:00
Appointments can be made by calling 03-3633-5511


Tokyo Metropolitan (Toritsu) Ebara Hospital
4-5-10 Higashi-yukigaya, Ota-ku, Tokyo (Tel: 03-5734-8000)
Appointments should be made by calling 03-5734-5489.
If you need to see a doctor right away call 03-5734-8000 and consult with a receptionist.


Tokyo Metropolitan (Toritsu) Komagome Byoin
3-18-22 Hon-Komagome
Bunkyo-Ku
Tel: 3823-2101


Tokyo Metropolitan (Toritsu) Ebara Byoin
4-5-10 Higashi Yukigaya
Ohta-ku
Tel: 5734-8000


Tokyo Metropolitan (Toritsu) Toshima Byoin
33-1 Sakae-Cho
Itabashi-ku
Tel: 5375-1234


When we contacted the providers listed above, we learned that Hiroo Hospital and Bokuto Hospital would know the results of the blood test in approximately one hour. Ebara Hospital said that they needed to submit the sample to an off-site laboratory, so it might take a week to obtain the results. Times at other locations were unclear.


Prices will vary depending on the specifics of a case, but we were told that the blood test and X-ray will cost about Y17,000 (if you have Japanese government health insurance you only have to pay 30% of the hospital bill). We learned that the Japanese government health insurance will not cover the hospital bill if you do not have any symptom of illness when you see a doctor.



Sapporo City General Hospital (Shiritsu Sapporo Byouin)
Tel 011-726-2211
Kita 11-jo Nishi 13-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo


Sendai City Hospital (Sendai Shiritsu Byouin)
Tel 022-266-7111
3-1, Shimizu Koji, Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai



Those people living in the Fukuoka consular district who suspect they may have contracted SARS should first phone the nearest public health center (listed below). We have spoken to officials at all these public health centers, and they all strongly recommend that people consult with them first and do not simply drop by in the emergency room of a hospital of their choice. If the public health center staffer determines over the phone that the caller's symptoms warrant a medical examination, they will direct the caller to the appropriate hospital or other medical facility. All these centers (except the one in Kagoshima) told us they are able to make English-speaking staff available to American citizen callers who do not speak Japanese.


Public Health Centers in Fukuoka's Consular District


Fukuoka chuo public health center: 2-5-1 Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi 810-0073
-TEL: 092-761-7361 -Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:15pm
Sat & Sun 9:00am-5:00pm. Emergency service: can be reached at same number during the night.


Kumamoto public health center: 1-13-16 Kuhonji, Kumamoto-shi 862-0976
-TEL: 096-364-3185 -Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:15pm
Sat & Sun 8:30am-5:15pm(phone consultation only). Emergency service: can be reached at same number during the night.


Yamaguchi kenko fukushi center: 3325-1 Yoshiki, Yamaguchi-shi 753-0811
-TEL: 083-934-2525 -Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:15pm
No weekend and emergency service during the night.


Nagasaki public health center:2-22 Sakura-cho, Nagasaki-shi 850-0031
-TEL: 095-825-5151 -Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:45am-5:30pm
Weekends and Emergency : call Nagasaki city hall main # at 095-825-5151.


Saga public health center: 1-20 haccho nawate-machi, Saga-shi 849-0925
-TEL: 0952-30-1321 -Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:15pm
No weekend service available. Emergency service can be reached at 0952-29-1300


Miyazaki public health center: 108-2 Jyodoe-cho, Miyazaki-shi 880-0876
-TEL: 0985-29-5283 -Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:15pm
No weekend service available. Emergency service can be reached at same number during the night.


Oita public health center: 2-13-29 Nagahama-cho, Oita-shi 870-0023
-TEL: 097-536-2222 -Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:15pm
No weekend and emergency service available.


Kagoshima health center: 2-25-1 Kamoike, Kagoshima-shi 890-0063
-TEL: 099-258-2321 -Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:15pm
No weekend and emergency service available.
No English speaking staff available.



Persons who suspect they may have contracted SARS should contact the nearest public health center:

Osaka City
Contagious Disease Office, Health and Welfare Bureau
Tel. 06-6208-9970
Service available weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00. English interpreter is available as needed.

Kyoto City
Regional Health Section, Health and Welfare Bureau
Tel. 075-222-3421
Service available weekdays from 8:50 to 17:30. Limited service in English is available.

Hiroshima City
Health and Prevention Unit, Health and Medicine Section, Social Affairs Bureau
Tel. 082-504-2622
Service available weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00. Service in English is not available at this time.

Nagoya City
Health Promotion Section, Health Department, Health and Welfare Bureau
Tel. 052-972-2631
Service available 9:00 to 17:00. No English service is available.

Kobe City
Preventative Hygiene Section, Kobe City Public Health Center
Tel. 078-232-7586
Service available 24 hours a day. No English service is available.



Ryukyu University Hospital in Affiliation
207 Aza Uehara
Nishihara-cho, Okinawa
Tel: 098-895-1144 ext. 3331


Okinawa Prefectural Naha Hospital
1-3-1 Yogi
Naha City, Okinawa
Tel: 098-863-3111


Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital
208-3 Aza Miyazato
Gushikawa City, Okinawa
Tel: 098-973-4111


Okinawa Prefectural Hokubu Hospital
2-12-3 Oonaka
Nago City, Okinawa
Tel: 0980-52-2719


Okinawa Prefectural Nanbu Hospital
870 Maezato
Itoman City, Okinawa
Tel: 098-994-0501


Okinawa Prefectural Miyako Hospital
807 Aza Higashi Nakasone
Hirara City, Miyako, Okinawa
Tel: 09807-2-3151


Okinawa Prefectural Yaeyama Hospital
732 Aza Ookawa
Ishigaki City, Yaeyama, Okinawa
Tel: 09808-3-2525



We know that during last year's SARS outbreak all international schools implemented SARS policies regarding quarantine and school attendance, as did many large companies. Parents should remain in contact with school administrators, as the policies may change on short notice.


Travelers should check with their air carriers before traveling to make sure they are well-informed of any SARS policy implemented by the airline, and to make sure they have most up-to-date information.


During the previous outbreak, the Department of State has authorized the departure of dependents and some non-essential personnel at various posts in Asia (BUT NOT JAPAN). Please check the details on any country you are concerned about by visiting travel.state.gov.



During the last outbreak commercial medical evacuation providers ceased accepting patients infected or showing symptoms of SARS for air evacuation. The Department of State's Office of Medical Services worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control to encourage the medical evacuation industry to resume this vital service for SARS patients, using a safety protocol for protection of air crews and aircraft during evacuation.


The Department of State succeeded in identifying one commercial medevac broker, Medaire, a U.S.-owned and Arizona-based global health and security company, that is willing and able to facilitate the evacuation of patients presenting SARS symptoms. Medaire is familiar with the CDC protocol on patient transport and has indicated its belief that Medaire can conduct the evacuation without posing an unacceptable level of risk of infection of aircrew, accompanying medical staff and/or accompanying dependents.


The Department of State does not recommend or endorse Medaire over any other potential air evacuation providers, but has been able to identify it as of now as a possible provider of medevac in the event it is needed.


How to Contact Medaire:

24-Hour medical assistance hotline: 1-800-856-8200 or 1-480-333-3595;

24-Hour hospital-based medical emergency response center, MedLink, 1-800-786-6006, 1-602-417-3333; 1-602-239-3627;

Director of Operations, Brett Hollis, 480-333-3700; or 602-317-1466.

Email: Rvalente@medaire.com;

www.medaire.com; www.medaire.com.