Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Rosalie Lozano Gas-4

The history of SARS was short but not so sweet.

SARS generated widespread panic in 2003 and was caused by a previously unknown coronavirus (SARS-CoV) – the same family of viruses that causes a cold. Symptoms began two to ten days after coming into contact with the virus and included a high fever, headache, body aches, sometimes diarrhea. But the main symptom of concern was the severe breathing difficulties associated with SARS, and almost all those infected developed pneumonia. By the end of 2003, 774 people had died out of the 8,098 infected people notified to WHO. Many more people needed to be hospitalized for breathing assistance.

SARS is spread through close contact with infectious droplets released during a cough or sneeze. SARS started in Asia, and researchers have identified the most likely source as wild Chinese Horseshoe bats that had been caught and brought to market. These bats harbored a SARS-like virus that subsequently infected civets before mutating; which meant that humans were now susceptible to the virus. Within a year, the infection had spread to more than two dozen countries before it was contained through public health measures.

Risk Of SARS And Similar Illnesses Remain A Public Health Concern

One of the most concerning facts about viruses, particularly those of the coronavirus virus family, is their ability to rapidly mutate (change).

Although surveillance is ongoing for another outbreak of SARS there have only been a small number of cases reported; mostly from laboratory accidents or, possibly, through animal-to-human transmission (Guangdong, China).