The deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus might be more
contagious than was previously thought. Scientists at two different
institutions reported this week that SARS might be transmitted by
contaminated food or water, droplets of mucus, urine, feces or
sweat.
Researchers at the Groningen University Hospital in the
Netherlands and the First Military Medical University in south
China's Guangzhou said their findings emphasized the need for more
stringent infection control.
Scientists at the First Military Medical University tested
tissue samples from four people who had died of SARS. They found
the SARS virus-a form of coronavirus--appeared in many organs and
tissues of the patients, including the stomach, small intestine,
sweat glands, liver and brain.
"As a result of our work, we recommend new infection control
measures, which include having patients wear gloves, disposable
gowns and eye protection . . . and to avoid kissing or touching
other people," the Journal of Pathology quoted Dr. Ding
Yanqing, the researcher who led the Chinese study, as saying.
Both the Chinese and Dutch research papers were published this
week in the British journal.
Scientists also say the virus may be released into environment
via feces and urine from individuals with the disease.
The Dutch scientists found receptors that enable the SARS virus
to bind to cells in the lungs, kidneys and the lining of the small
intestine and on sweat glands, arteries and veins.
"We revealed a small piece of the puzzle, . . . which indicates
that once the virus is in the blood it could affect all kinds of
organs," said Dr. Harry van Goor, one of the supervisors of the
study in the Netherlands. "There is a strong possibility that SARS
could be spread via water and skin contact. Our findings may
benefit a lot of people . . .? and make them be very cautious
about contact with SARS patients."
SARS infected more than 8,000 people in nearly 30 countries and
killed nearly 800 in 2003. Symptoms include a high fever
accompanied by a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty
breathing.
Scientists identified as its cause a new mutation from the
family of coronaviruses, which are also implicated in the common
cold and a range of animal illnesses.
(Agencies via China Daily May 8, 2004)