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Virus Reference and Surveillance Laboratory (VRSL)

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-coronavirus)

Clinical Virology Program

Links

Electron micrograph of the SARS-Coronavirus

Electron micrograph of the SARS-Coronavirus
Micrograph courtesy of Drs. Charles Humphrey and Tom Ksiazek, CDC, Public Health Image Library, 2003

Contact Information

Lab Director:
Kirsten St. George M.App.Sc., Ph.D.
(518) 869-4520

Cell-Based Testing Supervisor:
Kim Rush-Wilson
(518) 869-4559

Molecular Testing Supervisor:
Meghan Fuschino, M.S.
(518) 869-4559

Certification Information

CLIA # 33D0654341
PFI # 1067
WHO Collaborating Laboratory

** Sample submission must go through New York State Department of Health Regional Epidemiology **

Disease:
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) characterized by high fever, headache, and body aches
  • Atypical pneumonia
  • Severe respiratory disease that is often fatal
Transmission:
  • Close contact with an infected person, direct contact with infectious material, or inhalation of virus-containing aerosols
Vaccination:
  • None available at this time
Age Association:
  • All Ages
Geographic Distribution:
  • Currently, there is no known SARS transmission anywhere in the world
Seasonal Distribution:
  • Winter and early spring (December to April)
Preferred Specimens:
  • Nasopharyngeal aspirate, nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab, bronchial wash
Collection and Shipping:
Test Methods: Molecular:
  • Real-time RT-PCR
Links of Interest: