Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, is a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV virus. It first emerged in China in 2002 and quickly spread to other countries, leading to a global outbreak. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, and it can lead to severe pneumonia in some cases. Transmission of SARS occurs primarily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The outbreak was contained by public health measures, including isolation of patients and travel restrictions. Although SARS is no longer a widespread threat, it raised awareness about the potential for future coronavirus outbreaks.