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Photomicrograph of lung tissue, seen in purple, pink, and white. There is a giant cell in the middle and diffuse material surrounding it.
Photomicrograph of lung tissue affected by SARS. (Photo: CDC/Dr. Sherif Zaki)

Global severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak begins.

2003

EPD
INTL
Photomicrograph of lung tissue affected by SARS. (Photo: CDC/Dr. Sherif Zaki)

During a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, 8,098 people worldwide become sick–of these cases, 774 die.

There are only eight confirmed infections in the U.S., but the outbreak raises concerns about the possibility of global pandemics in the era of globalization.