- 1.Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) Dr.T.V.Rao MD1Dr.T.V.Rao MD
2. SARS and Caro Urbani Carlo Urbani (Castelplanio, ItalyOctober 19, 1956 Bangkok, Thailand March29, 2003) was an Italian physicianand the first to identify severeacute respiratory syndrome(SARS) as a new anddangerously contagious disease.Although he became infected anddied, his early warning to theWorld Health Organization(WHO) touched off a massiveresponse that probably helpedsave the lives of millions ofpeople around the world.2 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 3. Severe acute respiratorySyndrome Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory disease in humans which is caused by the SARS coronavirus Between November 2002 and July 2003 an outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong nearly became a pandemic, with 8,422 cases and 916 deaths worldwide (10.9% fatality) according to the WHO. Within weeks SARS spread from Hong Kong to infect individuals in 37 countries in early 2003.3 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 4. SARS belongs to Corona virus Coronaviruses are positive- strand, enveloped RNA viruses that are important pathogens of mammals and birds. This group of viruses cause enteric or respiratory tract infections in a variety of animals including4humans, livestock and Dr.T.V.Rao MD 5. SARS - Coronavirus SARS coronavirus is apositive and singlestranded RNA virusbelonging to a family ofenveloped coronaviruses.Its genome is about29.7kb, which is one of thelargest among RNAviruses. SARS is similar toother coronaviruses in thatits genome expressionstarts with translation oftwo large ORFs 1a and1b, which are twopolyproteins.5 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 6. SARS belong to Corona Virus SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is a viral disease caused by a virus of Corona respiratory viruses affecting mostly respiratory organs which is characterized by a fever (more than 38C), cough, shortage of breath and underlying atypical pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs). This is a disease which spreads very easily and affecting many people worldwide (over 5,000 people worldwide).6 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 7. 7 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 8. When to suspect SARS SARS may be suspected in a patient who has: Any of the symptoms, including a fever of 38 C(100.4 F) or higher, and Either a history of: Contact (sexual or casual) with someone with a diagnosis of SARS within the last 10 days OR Travel to any of the regions identified by the WHO as areas with recent local transmission of SARS (affected regions as of 10 May 2003[13] were parts of China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the province of Ontario, Canada).8 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 9. 9 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 10. CDC guidelines for Confirmatory testing Positive RT-PCR test results should beconfirmed in a reference laboratory.Confirmatory testing is particularlyimportant in areas with a low prevalence ofSARS-CoV disease, where the positivepredictive value of the assay is likely to bequite low. CDC will conduct confirmatorytesting during the early phases of anoutbreak.10 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 11. Protect Healthcare Personnel During Aerosol-Generating Procedures Limit personnel to those essential for performing procedure Wear appropriate personal protective equipment Gowns and gloves Sealed eye protection (i.e., goggles) Respiratory protection device11Dr.T.V.Rao MD 12. Management of SARS Antibiotics are ineffective as SARS is a viral disease.Treatment of SARS so far has been largelysupportive with antipyretics, supplemental oxygenand ventilatory support as needed. Suspected cases of SARS must beisolated, preferably in negative pressure rooms, withcomplete barrier nursing precautions taken for anynecessary contact with these patients. There was initially anecdotal support for steroids andthe antiviral drug ribavirin, but no published evidencehas supported this therapy12 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 13. Isolation and Quarantine the best options SARS needs to beregarded as aparticularly seriousthreat for severalreasons. The diseasehas no vaccine and notreatment, forcing healthauthorities to resort tocontrol tools dating backto the earliest days ofempirical microbiology:isolation and quarantine13 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 14. All are concerned to Prevent the Spread of SARS14 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 15. For More Articles of Interest on Infectious Diseases Visit me on15 Dr.T.V.Rao MD 16. Programme Created by Dr.T.V.Rao MD for Medical and Health Care Workers in the Developing World Email [email protected] Dr.T.V.Rao MD
