...Research proposal: SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome Finding new drug targets Part I: Disease History and outbreak details: SARS is a viral respiratory disease caused by a particular coronavirus first emerged on November 16 2002 in China. The coronavirus can cause a common cold in humans. The investigation of these viruses is hard, because culture in the lab is very difficult. There are a lot of various coronaviruses that affect poultry and animals, the economic effect of coronaviruses is big. A coronavirus consists of a viral spike (S) made of peplomers (grouping of glycoproteins), an envelope (E), an membrane (M) and a nucleocapsid (N). Source: Hilgenfeld, R., Peiris, J.S.M. From SARS to MERS: 10 years of research on highly pathogenic human coronaviruses. Antiviral Res. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.08.015. Virus discovery: It took the WHO 6 months to discover the causative agent of the disease. A quick identification of a new virus is important for prevention and control of a disease outbreak and can be accomplished by new strategys in virus discovery: New strategy for virus discovery: viruses identified in human feces in the last decades Part II: Possible procedures Receptor binding domain: The unique virus of SARS involves a receptor-binding domain on the spike (S) that play a role in the attachment of the virus to the cell receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Vaccines with proteins from the specific spikes are effective against...
Words: 419 - Pages: 2
...Biology- Virus, Bacteria and fungi Virus-Mers A new respiratory illness similar to the Sars virus that spread globally in 2003 and killed hundreds of people has been identified. It has been named the Mers (Middle East respiratory-syndrome) coronavirus. What is this new virus? The new virus is a type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, which includes the common cold and Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome). Most have come from an unidentified animal source - but there have been cases where the virus has spread between two people. What does it do? Coronaviruses cause respiratory infections in humans and animals. Patients have presented with fever, cough and breathing difficulties. It causes pneumonia and, sometimes, kidney failure. How is it spread? It is not known for certain. It is possible the virus is spread in droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. How dangerous is it? Experts believe the virus is not very contagious. If it were, we would have seen more cases. Coronaviruses are fairly fragile. Outside of the body they can only survive for a day and are easily destroyed by usual detergents and cleaning agents. Can it be treated? Doctors do not yet know what the best treatment is, but people with severe symptoms will need intensive medical care to help them breath. There is no vaccine to prevent. Fungi-athletes foot Everyone has bacteria and fungi on their skin. Most of the time they are harmless and do not cause problems...
Words: 717 - Pages: 3
...acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is contagious and potentially life threatening form of pneumonia which was first detected in February 2003 in Asia and it spread to various countries in Europe, North America and South America before it was declared as SARS 2003 global outbreak (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). SARS is an acute respiratory tract illness caused by an infectious virus transmitted from person to person. Various pathogens that cause acute respiratory diseases are respiratory syncytical virus, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) (WHO, 2007). In 2003, various scientists across the world started investigating the virus with the help of electron microscopy and virus discovery microarrays. The new coronavirus was inoculated in monkeys which caused interstitial pneumonia similar to SARS (Holmes, 2003). This newly identified acute viral respiratory syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus is a positive-stranded RNA virus with genome containing nucleocapsid protein, membrane proteins and spike protein which forms the typical “coronavirus” structure (Lashley & Durham, 2007). Spreading of the SARS virus is due to close human-to-human contact such as direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a patient infected with SARS and eating or drinking with them from the same utensil. The virus that causes SARS is thought to be transmitted most readily by respiratory droplets...
Words: 1702 - Pages: 7
...The SARS virus outbreak occurred back in 2002-2003. SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is a virus of the family coronaviridae. Coronaviridae is given the name because of the crown like projections of the peplomers as shown below in the following illustration 1.1. As shown below, the peplomers surround the virus all the way around just like a crown does from the top. When SARS first broke out in 2002, it was a newly discovered virus of the coronaviridae never before seen or heard of. The SARS-CoV (SARS-associated coronavirus) is what it was named. Previous known human coronaviruses are known to be the cause of common colds and other upper respiratory tract infections (just mild diseases) [2]. SARS-CoV is different due to the fact that...
Words: 3438 - Pages: 14
...Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Severe acute respiratory syndrome, also known as SARS, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called a coronavirus. Six coronaviruses can infect people. These viruses were first identified in the 1960’s. Specific to SARS is the coronavirus known as SARS-CoV. SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. In just a few short months, the virus spread to more than twenty-four countries, which included North America, S. America, Europe, and Asia. This became known as the SARS global outbreak of 2003. During the 2003 outbreak, 8,098 people worldwide contracted the virus. Of those 8,098 people 774 died and only eight people tested positive for the virus in the United States. Luckily, the SARS outbreak did not spread more widely in the United States. Initially the epidemic of SARS was associated with an outbreak of atypical pneumonia that originated in Guangdong Province, located in Southeast China. After virus isolation, serum testing, and molecular testing, scientists were able to discover that SARS had been circulating in Guangdong Province for a couple of months before causing a major outbreak. With further testing, specific to the SARS coronavius (CoV), it was found that the SARS CoV was the infectious agent that caused the outbreak in Guangdong. Further findings proved, through genetic analysis, that the SARS CoV found in patients in Guangdong shared the same origin with other countries and identified a genetic pathway that...
Words: 1066 - Pages: 5
...University SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, according to the cdc.gov website, is “a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV)”. ("Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome", 2014) The outbreak occurred in Southern China that quickly spread to North America in 2003. The people that were found to have the disease, had recently traveled to southern China. People that are expected to have the disease have traveled to the region where the disease is present, come in contact with a person with the disease, and a positive chest x-ray. Signs and symptoms of the disease include flu like symptoms such as a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, malaise, a sore throat, cough, and body aches. Later on in the disease process, the person can develop shortness of breath and can develop pneumonia. Some people even develop diarrhea. Epidemiology * In mid November2002, the first official outbreak of pneumonia was reported in China * 305 people were infected and 5 people reported dying from the disease in Guangdong, China * 30% of those reported were healthcare workers * As of 2003. 8422 cases were reported. Of those cases 916 people died. This happened in 29 countries all together. The most prevalent countries were Canada, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Singapore, and different parts of China Mode of Transmission Mode of transmission is person to person by way of air droplets (respiratory). This usually happens when a...
Words: 702 - Pages: 3
...Communicable disease outbreak - HAT Task 3 Analyze the selected communicable disease outbreak: SARS Disease overview Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the illness begins with a high fever (greater than 100.4 degrees F). The fever is sometimes associated with chills or other symptoms, including headache, general feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some individuals experience mild respiratory symptoms at the outset. Diarrhea is seen in approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patient may develop a dry, nonproductive cough that might be accompanied by hypoxia. In 10 to 20 percent of cases, patients require mechanical ventilation. Most patients develop pneumonia. The disease is spread by close person-to-person contact through direct contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of an infected individual. The incubation period is typically 2 to 7 days, but there are reported cases of up to 14 days. An individual is considered infectious only when they have symptoms, and are considered most contagious during the second week of illness. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005) According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in November 2002 a SARS outbreak emerged in South China. An infected medical doctor who had treated infected patients...
Words: 1539 - Pages: 7
...Western Governors University Kyle Mawer HAT1 Task 3 A1. Outbreak SARS stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome. This syndrome is a viral respiratory infection caused by a member of the coronavirus family (PubMed Health.gov, 2011). This virus belongs to the same family of viruses that cause the common cold. Linked to being a serious form of pneumonia, it presents symptoms like difficulty breathing, fevers, cough, chills and shaking, and muscle aches. The outbreak of SARS originated in the Guangdong Province, in southern China, in November 2002. It is suspected that SARS started in small mammals in China and spread to humans who handled these mammals (PubMed Health.gov, 2011). Another source states contaminated sewage was found to be responsible for the outbreak in a housing estate in Hong Kong affecting over 300 residents (Chan-Yeung, M., 2003). On February 21, Liu Jianlun, a 64-year-old Chinese physician from traveled to Hong Kong to attend a family wedding despite the fact that he had a fever. Epidemiologists determined that Mr. Jianlun passed on the SARS virus to other guests at the Metropole Hotel where he stayed—including an American businessman en route to Hanoi, Vietnam by the name of Jonny Chen (SARS, 2012). Mr. Chen grew ill in a Vietnam Hospital. Dr. Carlo Urbani, who was a member of the World Health Organization, contracted the SARS virus after caring for Mr. Chen. Dr. Urbani was the first to formally identify SARS as a unique disease...
Words: 1875 - Pages: 8
...The SARS Outbreak of 2003 Western Governors University January 15, 2013 The SARS Outbreak of 2003 Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory caused by a coronavirus. Coronavirus is in the same virus family as the common cold. Most commonly spread through person to person contact and droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated with the virus then touch their nose, mouth or eyes. Characterized by high fevers, headaches, feeling of discomfort, some may have diarrhea and body aches most will present with a mild respiratory infections, which may lead to pneumonia (CDC, 2012). People that are exposed to the virus may not show symptoms until 2 to 7 days after exposure, this is the viruses average incubation period. SARS first appeared in southern China in 2002 in the Guangdong Province. The Chinese government did not make the outbreak known at this time. It wasn’t until March 2003 that SARS started gaining attention. The patients were presenting with an atypical pneumonia. It was believed that a businessman carrying the virus stayed in a Metropole Hotel in Hong Kong, at the same time a doctor from the Guangdong Providence was staying. The doctor had treated infected patients in Guangdong before going to visit Hong Kong. Shortly after the visit at the hotel, other quests and staff members started becoming ill. “ Of those were a tourist from Toronto, a flight attendant...
Words: 1394 - Pages: 6
...In today’s society healthcare personnel need to be aware of the various chemical, environmental, food borne, water borne and airborne illnesses that abound. Being well versed in this area means understanding the epidemiology, being aware of the signs and symptoms, knowing what treatments or cures and knowing the notification process for outbreaks, should they arise. Severe acute respiratory syndrome also known as SARS is a type of viral Pneumonia that is very serious for those affected. It causes acute respiratory distress for the patient which can cause death. SARS is transmitted by contact. According to the U.S National Library of Medicine the coronavirus can live up to 6 hours on hands, tissues and some other surfaces and can stay active for up to three hours after the droplets have dried (A.D.A.M, 2013). The virus can live in feces for nearly four days and it is unknown exactly how long it can live in freezing temperatures but it is believed to live for months or maybe even years. The Coronavirus family is the same group that births the common cold, just as you can catch the cold over and over again, you can also become re-infected with SARS. Since this is a newer illness only manifesting in 2003 there are still unknowns regarding the illness. One of these things is how long before and after someone is contagious with the infection. It is clear that they are actively contagious while showing symptoms. Usually people who are infected will begin showing symptoms within...
Words: 1969 - Pages: 8
...in February of 2003. The people of Asia were the first to be infected but the disease quickly spread world-wide. By the end of this pandemic over 8,000 people had become ill and 774 had died. The illness associated with this pandemic is known as Severe Acute Reparatory Syndrome, or SARS. The infectious agent associated with SARS is a virus that appears to have crown-like spikes on its surface. This virus is known as the coronavirus. This virus has four sub-groups and was commonly known to infect animals. In the 1960’s there were six strains of the coronavirus that were discovered to have the ability to infect humans. The particular strain of this virus responsible for SARS was the SARS-CoV. This particular strain of the virus has the ability to infect humans and animals (CDC, 2012). SARS is a contagious virus that is spread through droplets from person to person. This occurs as the infected person coughs or sneezes on or near a non-infected person. The droplets travel through the air as they land on the non-infected person the virus begins to invade their body. Shortly after the SARS-CoV virus has invaded and multiplied in the human body the individual may begin to experience upper respiratory symptoms such as high fever, headache, body aches, weakness or fatigue, loss of appetite, and a runny or stuffy nose. As the disease progresses, these individuals begin to experience a cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and often times progresses to pneumonia (CDC, 2012)...
Words: 2161 - Pages: 9
...Communicable disease outbreak Severe acute respiratory syndrome or commonly referred to as SARS is advanced form of Pneumonia. This viral respiratory ailment originates from a coronavirus. SARS is highly infectious and lethal type of of Pneumonia. On November 2002, the first case of SARS was diagnosed in a towns in China. The disease is easily spread throughout the world via mass transit hubs such as airports. The illness has spread to various parts of the world. Over two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia have reported cases. The numbers of cases related to SARS were increasing at exponential rates. In March 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued global alerts. (CDC-SARS-Infection Control) Infection of SARS viral causes acute respiratory distress, severe difficulty in breathing, and death. Initial symptom with SARS are flu-like symptoms may includes myalgia, cough, lethargy, cough and sore throat. The commom symptom in all patients was a fever above 38 degree Celsius. The patient may show symptoms initially similar to a cold in the 1st stage but later mimic influenza symptoms. (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) SARS occurrences increase in people who have had sexual or casual (including tattoos) contact with an infected person or if they traveled to highly infected regions were SARS was diagnosed in a 10-day period. As of May 2003, these areas included China, Singapore and Canada (Ontario). Route of transmission for...
Words: 1254 - Pages: 6
...STZ1 Task 3 Washington Western Governor’s University A1. Description SARS is a viral disease caused by a coronavirus, a viral subgroup that causes of many instances of the common cold. Although SARS’ precise origin isn’t definitively known, all current data points to small mammals know as civets as the most plausible source of human transmission. The outbreak of SARs started in November of 2002 in the Mainland Chinese Province known as Guangdong, where the civets were viewed as a delicacy. In a misguided attempt prevent panic, the Chinese government failed to inform the World Health Organization of the initial outbreak for nearly four months. Subsequently the virus was contracted by 8098 people between November 2002 and June 2003. 774 of these cases proved fatal worldwide. (Trivedi, 2013) The 3 primary factors that enabled SARS to spread so far and so fast were a lack of early reporting by Chinese officials, lack its high virulence, and international flight paths. Early awareness of SARS was severely by attempts at secrecy within the Chinese government in an attempt to prevent panic. This secrecy delayed awareness reaching both the WHO and healthcare staff, who were unaware of SARS virulence and potency. As mentioned, the SARS outbreak originated in the Guangdong Province in China. SARS was easily spread to healthcare staff who in-turn infected their friends, family, colleagues, and other patients. Also, family members would sick patients, and then transport...
Words: 1807 - Pages: 8
...Community Health Nursing Karandeep Kalkat WGU ST Task 3 September 1, 2014 SARS, communicable disease outbreak SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) as described by the CDC is “is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013). It was first reported in February 2003 in Asia and has noted to spread through international travel to 29 countries worldwideto North America, South America, and Europe (CDC, 2013). According to the World Health Organization website, SARS was responsible for a large worldwide outbreak that affected 8,098 people and killed 774 between November 2002 and July 2003 worldwide and noted to be “the first severe infectious disease to emerge in the twenty-first century”( World Health Organization [WHO], 2014). The CDC lists the signs and symptoms if SARS are as follows: having a high fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F [>38.0°C]), headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches (CDC, 2013). It also states “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“(CDC, 2013). Epidemiological indicators/data of SARS SARS first appeared and was detected in the Guangdong province in November 2002 as an atypical pneumonia. In late February 2003, similar cases began appearing among staff at a hospital in Hanoi and within...
Words: 1456 - Pages: 6
...WESTERNS GOVERNERS UNIVERSITY | SARS | HAT Task 3: Competency 725.8.7: Environmental and Global Health Issues | | SUBDOMAIN 725.8 - COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING | 6/5/2014 | | A. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a severe form of pneumonia. The infection causes severe breathing difficulty and sometimes even death. SARS is caused by the coronavirus family of viruses, which is the same family that usually causes the common cold. SARS was believed to start when the virus spread from small mammals in China to humans in the 2003 epidemic. A World Health Organization physician named Dr. Carlo Urbani acknowledged SARS as a new disease in 2003. He diagnosed a 48 year old man, who had traveled from China, through Hong Kong, to Vietnam with SARS. After the doctor and the physician died from SARS, the disease was spreading fairly quickly. It spread and infected peoples in Asia, Africa, Australia, South and North America, and Europe. When someone who is infected with SARS coughs or sneezes, infected droplets fly into the air and anyone who breathes in or touches these particles can get infected by the virus and this was the viruses' mode of transmission. The virus can live on hands, tissues, and other surfaces and droplets in the air 3 hours after it has dried. At the end of the epidemic in June 2003, the global total affected was 8,422 with 916 deaths, which made up 11% of global population. All ages were effected, but women the most. Also, health care workers...
Words: 615 - Pages: 3
