Research Project – World Health Organization

SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a corona virus,

called SARS – associated corona virus (SARS-CoV). SARS is caused by a strain of coronavirus,

it is the same family of viruses that causes common cold. The virus that cause the illness likely

originated in animals thought to be bats. Its findings believed that the virus passed from bats to

an intermediate host before jumping to humans. The World Health Organization has designated

SARS a global outbreak lasted from late 2002 to mid-2003. SARS was first reported in Asia in

late November 2002 and the epidemic peak was in the first week of 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 SARS global outbreak was contained. According to WHO, a

total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with SARS during the outbreak. An epidemic that

killed approximately 774 people before it was successfully contained. The fatality ratio is less

than 1% for people younger than 25, 6% for 25-44, 15% for those aged 45-64 and more than

50% for those 65 or older. People older than 60 especially those with underlying conditions such

as diabetes or hepatitis are at the highest risk of serious complications.

In general, the symptoms of SARS are usually similar to flu-like signs and symptoms – fever,

chills, cephalgia, muscle aches, malaise and 10%-20% usually have diarrhea. About after a week,

signs and symptoms include: fever of 100.5 F (38 C) or higher, dry cough, pneumonia and

shortness of breath, an increasing lack of oxygen in the blood which can be fatal in the most

severe cases. Just like most respiratory illnesses, SARS spread in by close person-to-person

contact. It is transmitted most readily by respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when

infected person cough or sneezes. Droplet spread can happen when droplets from the cough and

sneeze of an infected person are propelled a short distance up to 3 feet through the air and

Karen Joy Daculog v150565 MOA-HUC May 06, 2020

deposited on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or eyes of person who are nearby. It can

also spread when a person touches a surface or object that is contaminated with infectious

droplets and having a close contact to person who in infected with SARS. The virus may also be

spread on contaminated objects such as doorknobs, telephones and elevator buttons. Researchers

are currently working vaccine for SARS, but there have been no human trials for any potential

vaccine. Because there's no confirmed treatment or treatment for SARS, it’s important to take as

many preventive measures as possible. Some of the ways to prevent transmission of SARS – if

infection appeared and you’re in close contact with someone who’s been diagnosed with the

disease; wash your hand frequently, wear disposable gloves if touching any infected bodily fluid,

wear surgical mask, disinfect surfaces that may have been contaminated with the virus and wash

personal items. Avoid travelling to the areas around the world where there’s uncontrolled cases

of SARS and practice social distancing. Moreover, follow all of the above preventive measures

for at least ten days after the symptoms of SARS have gone away.

There is no currently cure for SARS and researchers still searching for possible vaccine. A

person suspected of having SARS should be admitted to hospital immediately and kept in

isolation under close observation. Treatment is mainly supportive, and may include: assisting

with breathing using a ventilator to deliver oxygen, antibiotics to treat bacteria that cause

pneumonia, antiviral medicines, high doses of steroids to reduce swelling in the lungs. There's

not much scientific evidence to show that these treatments are effective. The antiviral medicine

ribavirin is known to be ineffective at treating SARS.

Karen Joy Daculog v150565 MOA-HUC May 06, 2020

Bibliography: www.healthline.com
www.ncbi.nih.gov
www.mayoclinic.com
www.cidrap.umn.edu
www.who.int
www.cdc.gov
www.nhs.uk

Karen Joy Daculog v150565 MOA-HUC May 06, 2020