Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

WHY IN NEWS?

A second person has died in China from a SARS-linked virus that has affected dozens and appeared in two other Asian countries, with a new case reported in Thailand.

ABOUT SARS

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
• SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Over the next few months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained.
• In general, SARS begins with a high fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F [>38.0°C]). Other symptoms may include headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also have mild respiratory symptoms at the outset. About 10 percent to 20 percent of patients have diarrhea. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough. Most patients develop pneumonia.
• The main way that SARS seems to spread is by close person-to-person contact.
• The virus that causes SARS is thought to be transmitted most readily by respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• The virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated with infectious droplets and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eye(s).
• In addition, it is possible that the SARS virus might spread more broadly through the air (airborne spread) or by other ways that are not now known.
• There's currently no cure for SARS, but research to find a vaccine is ongoing.

Prelims Question

Q. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is caused by a:
a. Bacteria
b. Virus
c. Fungus
d. Protozoan

Answer to the Prelims Question