Abstract
As of April, 2003, the global death toll from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) had surpassed 500 individuals, and the World Health Organization (WHO) had estimated the overall death rate from SARS to be 15%. There were 30 countries reporting over 7,000 infected patients, with China and Hong Kong hit the hardest. Toronto, Canada, was the most seriously affected city outside Asia, with 23 people confirmed dead from the disease. The United States had less than 100 probable cases reported and no deaths.