Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness

caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).

SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. The illness spread to more

than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia

before the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained.

Since 2004, there have not been any known cases of SARS reported

anywhere in the world.

(Source:http://www.cdc.gov/sars/about/index.html)

SARSSEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME

SARS broke out in 2003, the year when the number of submissions and references spiked. A total of 275 SARS submissions and 278 papers appeared from 2003 to 2012.

Data Source: GenBank

China was the center of SARS outbreak in 2003. The submissions by Chinese scientists counted the largest proportion for the next five years.

Scientists collaborated in SARS research during 2003 and 2004. After 2004 when SARS was under control and no new case was reported, collaboration in this research field dropped.

Each color represents a different continent. Scientists who are labeled are those worked on various projects launched by different continents.