[Severe acute respiratory syndrome].

Towards the end of 2002 it was the epidemic'outbreak of very severe atypical pneumonia of unknown cause. 32 countries were affected. During 7 months about 8000 cases and 900 fatalities were reported. World Health Organization defined the new disease as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Thanks to the international investigations the etiologic factor of the disease was quickly identified. New coronavirus was described. It allowed the introduction of new more effective methods of disease' identification. In SARS treatment there are applied antiviral drugs and glicocorticosteroids.