Researchers announced they have found two bat viruses closely related to SARS.
The scientists said that the viruses infect cells in the same manner that SARS infects human cells. The discovery suggests that SARS originated in bats and transfer directly into humans rather than through some intermediary animal.
The bat viruses are 95% genetically matched to SARS and could lead to rapid development of vaccines and drugs to combat the deadly disease.
The SARS outbreak between November 2002 and July 2003 resulted in more than 8,000 worldwide cases with 770 deaths. The virus was a forerunner of the MERS virus that was discovered in the middle east that has a mortality rate close to 43%.
The World Health Organization has declared MERS a “threat to the entire world.”
The most recent British citizen to contract the recently discovered SARS-like coronavirus has died according to British health officials.
This is the first Briton to die from the disease. Out of the 12 people worldwide who have been confirmed victims of the virus, half have now died. Continue reading →
By blade
Created 16/02/2013 – 22:57
The World Health Organisation on Saturday urged countries to be vigilant over the spread of a potentially fatal SARS-like virus after a new case in Britain brought the global number to 12.
“Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns,” the United Nations health agency said in a statement. Continue reading →
The new coronavirus found in the Middle East that is very similar to the SARS virus that killed 800 people in 2002 has been found to be spread from human to human.
Health officials in the UK made the announcement after a third British citizen was confirmed to be infected with the virus. The scientists say the infected man contracted the disease from a relative. Continue reading →
A second case of the extremely deadly SARS-like virus that first appeared in the Middle East, has been confirmed in England.
The patient who is currently in intensive care at a Manchester hospital had recently traveled to the Middle East. Continue reading →
A new respiratory illness that is similar to SARS has claimed a fourth and fifth victim. The World Health Organization reported that two people have died in Jordan from the disease. The confirmed cases from Jordan make the eighth and ninth confirmed cases worldwide and the first ones outside of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Continue reading →
An illness similar to the SARS virus that killed hundreds in 2003 has been discovered in a man being treated in London.
The 49-year-old man was rushed from Qatar to London after being the second person confirmed with the coronavirus. The first case was a Saudi Arabian who died from the disease. Continue reading →