SARS: GOOD
NEWS for AIA and SKC:
From an Ozestock site:
"UHK announces breakthrough virus findings. University of Hong Kong
researchers have identified the virus that has caused the recent outbreak of
atypical pneumonia. Known as a coronavirus, it is spread through droplets and
can also survive for up to a few hours outside the human body.
A diagnostic test for coronavirus will be ready tomorrow and it will return
results within eight hours. Doctors will be able to discharge recovered
patients knowing they no longer carry the virus.
The team behind the discovery are from the University's Department of
Microbiology. Chief of Virology Malik Peiris and department head
Kwok-yung
Yuen say now that they have identified the source, they no longer want to
refer to the illness as "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrom" (SARS).
Instead, they call it Coronavirus Pneumonia.
The best prevention method, the researchers say, is to constantly wash your
hands. A mask, by itself, is not foolproof. The coronavirus is spread through
droplets - the vapour that sprays from our noses when we sneeze and our mouths
when we cough. It can also live outside the body for up to an hour or so.
A person who has coughed into his hand and then touches a doorbell may
leave the virus for the next person. If that person touches the doorbell and
then rubs his eyes, nose or mouth, he risks coming down with coronavirus
pneumonia. **Alcohol can kill the virus**.
The World Health Organization has congratulated the University on its
success. The Centres for Disease Control & Prevention based in Atlanta has
independently confirmed that coronavirus is the source.
Now that the source is known, it will be easier for drug researchers to
find ways to treat the disease and kill the virus. Responding to a query from
the press as to the likely origin of the coronavirus, Prof Peiris said it
probably originated in animals. However, he later said there were no signs
that domestic pets were carriers and were not a cause for worry.
Cheers
infosync
See IRG research reports
