Topeka ? State health officials Tuesday reported a second suspected case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome — this one in northeast Kansas.

The woman who may have had SARS had recently traveled to Asia where the respiratory illness was first discovered. The woman was never hospitalized and has apparently recovered, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

“Close contacts, such as family members and health care workers, have been notified and told to watch over themselves for the next 10 days, and if they have any signs of respiratory illness, they are asked to go see a doctor,” said Sharon Watson, a spokeswoman for KDHE.

Watson declined to identify the woman or where she lives. KDHE’s definition of northeast Kansas covers 21 counties, including Douglas County.

The first suspected case of SARS was a south-central Kansas man. He has recovered after being hospitalized, but tests have yet to show whether he actually had the illness, Watson said. His case was originally identified March 20.

There is no specific treatment for SARS, a rapid and potentially deadly illness, though most patients recover. To date, 154 deaths have been reported worldwide, but none in the United States. As of April 15, there were 3,235 suspected cases in the world, 193 of those in the United States.

“KDHE is working with local health departments and health care providers to identify all potential cases,” said Gail Hansen, deputy state epidemiologist. “Health care workers taking care of SARS patients and family members of SARS patients are most at risk of getting the illness.”

Even so, there have been no reports of similar illness among those in close contact with either of the suspected cases in Kansas, officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a public health advisory about the recent outbreak of SARS in several countries.

Officials said that anyone who experienced an unexplained severe respiratory illness on or after Feb. 1 and who has other symptoms should seek medical attention and inform their health care provider of the possible exposure to SARS.

¢ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¢ Hong Kong reports 5 more SARS deaths (4-14-03)¢ First SARS patient anonymous and likely to stay that way (4-12-03)¢ CDC worried about spread of SARS in U.S. workplace (4-11-03)

Symptoms include fever of 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher, coughing, shortness of breath, along with either having traveled in Asia within 10 days of the onset of symptoms or close contact with someone suspected of having SARS.

Additional information on SARS can be found at www.cdc.gov. Travel advisories and case information is available at www.who.int/csr/sars/en.