SARS State Which Disease You

SARS

State which disease you are discussing. Discuss the history of the emergence of this disease, particularly among human populations. I would like to discuss Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which is a serious form of pneumonia. SARS is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) (Basic Information about SARS. 2005, p. 1). It is caused by a highly contagious virus that was first identified in 2003. Infection with the SARS virus causes acute respiratory distress (severe breathing difficulty) and sometimes death. World Health Organization (WHO) physician Dr. Carlo Urbani identified SARS as a new disease in 2003. He diagnosed it in a 48-year-old businessman who had traveled from the Guangdong province of China, through Hong Kong, to Hanoi, Vietnam. The business-man and the doctor who first diagnosed SARS both died from the illness (Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). 2001. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia). 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 (Basic Information about SARS (3 May 2005), p. 1). It infected thousands of people. Schools closed throughout Hong Kong and Singapore. National economies were affected. The WHO identified SARS as a global health threat, and issued a travel advisory. WHO updates closely tracked the spread of SARS. It wasn't clear whether SARS would become a global pandemic (SARS (2001). A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia). The fast global public health response helped to stem the spread of the virus. By June 2003, the number of new cases was down enough that on June 7, the WHO stopped its daily reports. But even though the number of new cases dwindled and travel advisories began to be lifted, every new case had the potential to spark another outbreak. The outbreak, now estimated to have cost $50 billion, was largely contained by the summer of 2003, although sporadic cases have been suspected since (see Wroth, 2005, p. 2). Briefly describe the disease in humans. What is the mortality rate of the disease? 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% to 20% of patients have diarrhea. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough. Most patients develop pneumonia (Basic Information about SARS (3 May 2005), p. 1). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with SARS during the 2003 outbreak. Of these, 774 died. In the United States, only eight people had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV infection. All of these people had traveled to other parts of the world with SARS. SARS did not spread more widely in the community in the United States (Basic Information about SARS (3 May 2005), p. 1). Briefly explain how the disease is transmitted to and among humans: The virus was transmitted from animals to people. The SARS outbreak originated from bats of the genus Rhinolophus, and its human emergence is believed to have been facilitated through intermediate hosts in the wet markets of southern China (Hughes & Wilson (2010), 1637). Researchers discovered that SARS was caused by a type of virus called a coronavirus. The bat that carried the virus is often sold as food on Asian markets and its feces are sometimes used medicinally used - even, coincidentally, as a treatment for respiratory problems (see Wroth (2005), p. 2). Because the outbreak was traced to markets where live animals were sold, authorities initially pinned the disease on the civet, a small, ferret-like mammal considered a delicacy. The primary way that SARS appears to spread among human beings is by close person-to-person contact. SARS-CoV is thought to be transmitted most readily by respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Droplet spread can happen when droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled a short distance (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are nearby. 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 SARS-CoV might be spread more broadly through the air (airborne spread) or by other ways that are not now known (Basic Information about SARS (3 May 2005), p. 1). What is the distribution pattern of the disease: All around the world, SARS has negatively affected every aspect of daily life. Today, the SARS coronavirus strain is believed to have originated in Guangdong province in southern China prior to its spread to Hong Kong, neighboring countries in Asia, and Canada and the United States during the 2003 outbreak. In early 2004, several new cases of SARS were investigated in Beijing and in the Anhui province of China. All of these cases were epidemiologically linked to the National Institute of Virology in Beijing, where the outbreak is thought to have originated. The most recent outbreak was believed to have been successfully contained without spread into the general population. Despite concerns that new cases of SARS would emerge in the region, no new cases had been reported as of July 1, 2007 (Pinsky, (2010), p. 1). Therefore, it is not possible to provide any data on the distribution pattern worldwide, the U.S.A. Or Oklahoma. Which populations are primarily/most adversely affected by the disease and why are these people primarily/most adversely affected? SARS has been a global threat when it broke out in 2003. At that time, there had been fear that if great care would not be taken, SARS could become established in the poorest nations - places like Burundi, Nigeria or Malawi - which had neither the high-tech capability of the Western World nor the totalitarian muscle of China to contain it (see SARS -- Global epidemic from mutant virus causing pneumonia. (30 June 2003, p. 1). What prevention strategies, both personal prevention strategies, and prevention strategies on a broader scope (in the U.S. And in Oklahoma) are in place to prevent further spread of this disease? Reducing contact with people who have SARS lowers the risk for the disease. One should avoid travel to places where there is an uncontrolled SARS outbreak. When possible, one should avoid direct contact with persons who have SARS until at least 10 days after their fever and other symptoms are gone. Hand hygiene with an alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers the most important part of personal SARS prevention. Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing is also very important. Droplets that are released when a person sneezes or coughs are infectious. Do not share food, drink, or utensils. Clean commonly touched surfaces with an EPA-approved disinfectant (Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). 2001). On a broader scope, both on the federal and Oklahoma state level, government agencies and healthcare providers called upon people to follow the aforementioned recommendations.