Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asia: A Medical Geographic Perspective

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) represents the first major and readily transmissible disease to emerge in the 21st Century. This paper illustrates the medical geography of SARS, which is believed to be caused by a new member of the coronavirus family. The origin of SARS as well as the vast majority of cases occurred in Asia, most notably China. Theories pertaining to the biological and geographical origin of the etiologic agent are examined and local, national, and international spatial diffusion patterns in Asia are illustrated. The SARS epidemic provides additional evidence that developed as well developing countries face major new health threats from emerging infectious and contagious diseases in an era of globalization, bringing into further question the epidemiological transition theory. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F22, I10, I18. 7 figures, 79 references.