SARS - Special Report on YaleGlobal
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The Ominous March of a Virus |
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Hong Kong citizens wear masks to protect |
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against a mystery illness SARS. Since the |
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first reported death from SARS in Hong |
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Kong, on March 4, 2003 the disease to date has spread to four countries and affected
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citizens of 18 countries. |
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The ongoing outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) has prompted great concern and caution around the world.
Some have compared the SARS outbreak to that of the Spanish flu
of 1918-1919, which killed over 20 million people.
While SARS has not caused nearly as many deaths to date, it has
spread more rapidly than the Spanish flu due to the intensification of
globalization over the past several decades. Spanish flu was spread by
people traveling on trains and by troops on ships. Cheaper air travel
and increased numbers of international air passengers have facilitated
the movement of SARS from Asia to North America and Europe - in a
matter of days. On March 4, 2003, a Chinese doctor visiting Hong Kong died
of SARS . The people he came in contact with at his hotel and in the
hospital where he died became infected. From that point the virus has
continued to leapfrog to destinations round the globe.
In this Special Report, YaleGlobal offers essential information on the
spread and prevention of SARS and an exploration of the impact of the
disease around the world.
What is SARS?
How is SARS spread?
What are the global implications of SARS?
What is SARS?
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is an acute form of pneumonia.
The initial symptoms of SARS include a fever, sometimes with body aches,
headaches, or other signs of discomfort. In the first week of onset, SARS
patients may also experience a dry, non-productive cough. In severe cases,
patients may need to be placed on artificial respirators in order to breath.
According the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the World Health Organization,
people who contract SARS may not experience symptoms for up to 10 days after contracting the virus.
The Spread of SARS
Thus far, investigations have shown that SARS is spread mainly through
droplet transmission. For example, if someone with SARS coughs or sneezes
into the air, the droplets expelled could infect another person if inhaled.
Another possible mode of transmission is by simple contact with objects
that have become contaminated.
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