First Case of SARS Recorded

Date: November 16, 2002 • Location: Guangzhou Shi, China

The first case of SARS, a zoonotic respiratory coronavirus disease, was recorded in Guangdong, China.

The 2002–2004 outbreak of SARS, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, infected over 8,000 people from 30 countries and territories, and resulted in at least 774 deaths worldwide.

This milestone marked a defining occurrence in China's and world history, leaving an indelible imprint on societal development, international relations, and cultural memory. Its enduring ramifications continue to be examined and commemorated by historians and scholars across the globe.