Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious respiratory illness that is caused by a virus known as the SARS coronavirus (SARS CoV).
Background
SARS is thought to have originated in the Guangdong province of southeast China. The first cases of the illness were reported in November 2002. The illness then spread to other areas of the world including:
- Southeast Asia,
- Europe, and
- North America.
Between March and July 2003, more than 8,400 suspected cases of SARS were reported in 32 countries. Most people infected were hospital workers who cared for patients with the illness, or close family members of those affected.
The SARS virus was finally contained at the beginning of July 2003, although four small outbreaks were subsequently reported between July 2003 and May 2004.
Three of the outbreaks were traced to laboratory releases of SARS CoV and were quickly contained. It was unclear as to the source of the fourth outbreak, although investigations focused on a possible animal source.
Who can be affected by SARS?
Most people who were affected by SARS during 2003 and 2004 were otherwise healthy adults between 25 and 70 years old. However, a few suspected cases of the illness were also reported among children under 15 years old.
What is the risk of infection from SARS?
The risk of infection from SARS is low, and all previous outbreaks were contained to small areas. For those people who were infected, the recovery rate was high. Fatalities occur in about 3% of suspected SARS cases.
Although the risk of infection from SARS is low, there is currently no specific treatment for the virus, and the infection can spread very quickly if it occurs in certain environments, such as in hospitals.
The risk of SARS spreading to the UK is very low. However, as it is a highly contagious infection that spreads rapidly, and its symptoms are severe, it is important for healthcare professionals to remain alert, and be aware of the virus and its symptoms.
