Coronavirus that also impacted the world
What is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV)?
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
The disease was first reported in China in 2003, spreading to several countries before the global outbreak was contained later that year. SARS is not the first viral disease originating in China to become a pandemic. Southern China was the source of the 1957 and 1968 influenza pandemics and the center of transmission for new strains of avian influenza in 1997 and 2001.
The main symptoms of SARS include respiratory infection symptoms, headache, muscle pain, fever, cough, and others. Most people infected with SARS recover with or without medical treatment. The mortality rate is around 10%. However, people over 40 years of age or with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, or cardiovascular problems are at higher risk of developing severe illness.
What is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)?
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), caused by MERS-CoV, is a severe illness that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include fever, cough, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and shortness of breath. Some patients may develop kidney failure and shock, which can eventually lead to death. The mortality rate is approximately 40%. This virus has been found in camels and is transmitted from animals to humans. The disease was first reported in September 2012 in Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. By May 2015, the disease had been reported in 25 countries worldwide. To date, only two cases of MERS-CoV have been reported in the United States.