The Naval Health Research Center was charged with conducting laboratory-based surveillance for respiratory infections including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), at the 2003 Cobra Gold Exercise in Thailand. SARS transmission was not known to be present in Thailand in early 2003, and there were concerns that exercise participants could bring SARS into the country. Respiratory illness surveillance was initiated, including geographic exposure history for elucidating a SARS "suspect" case. Although no suspect SARS cases were identified, 17 individuals met the case definition for febrile respiratory illness; diagnostic specimens were obtained from 16. Laboratory testing identified influenza A in 44%; selected sequence analysis demonstrated these were Fujian-like influenza strains, which was the predominant strain found globally in 2003/2004. Concern for SARS transmission was eased and knowledge of circulating respiratory pathogens was obtained as the logistics of implementing respiratory surveillance during a military training operation were overcome. 4

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The Naval Health Research Center was charged with conducting laboratory-based surveillance for respiratory infections including severe acute respiratory syndrome