The cause of SARS

The cause of SARS has been identified as a new form of Coronavirus, never seen in humans before.

Available evidence suggests that SARS emerged in Guangdong Province, in southern China in November 2002. Many of these early cases were food handlers (persons who handle, kill, and sell food animals, or those who prepare and serve food.)

There is evidence that natural infection with SARS-CoV may occur in a number of animal species indigenous to China and parts of south-east Asia. A joint study involving Hong Kong SAR and China detected several coronaviruses closely related genetically to the SARS coronavirus in two of the animal species tested (masked palm civet and raccoon dog). The study also found that one additional species (the Chinese ferret badger) elicited antibodies against the SARS-CoV. These and other wild animals are traditionally considered delicacies and are sold for human consumption in markets throughout southern China.

Many fundamental questions still remains. Further studies are needed to establish the origin of SARS-CoV, the host range in domestic and wild animals and viral ecology, factors leading to emergence of the virus, etc.

Medical Update | What is SARS? | Symptoms and Signs of SARS | The cause of SARS | Transmission Routes and Risk Factors | Incubation period | Diagnostic tests | Treatments available and outcomes of treatment | Case-Fatality Ratios