A New Generation of Viruses?

Coronaviruses are commonly found worldwide and most people in their lifetime will contract this virus.  It usually causes mild to moderate upper respiratory symptoms such as runny nose and congestion and is believed to be one of the major causes of the common cold along with rhinoviruses.  It is found not only in humans, but also, in a wide range of animals including farm animals and domesticated pets.  Most coronaviruses are relatively benign in nature in humans with exception of two:  the viruses that cause Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

In 2003, an outbreak of what was then called novel coronavirus and was later changed to SARS coronavirus, infected over 8,000 people worldwide. Within weeks, SARS spread from Hong Kong to infect individuals in 37 countries in early 2003.  In the United States, which suffered no SARS-related deaths, eight people contracted the virus while abroad.  Its symptoms were flu-like and included fever, muscle aches, fatigue, cough and sore throat.  Some people who have recovered from the initial infection have gone on to experience severe, long-term symptoms.  Since the 2003 outbreak, there have been no new, confirmed cases but scientists do not believe that the virus has been eradicated like smallpox.  It is believed that the virus still remains in its natural reservoir in wild animals.

A new outbreak of a novel coronavirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, has been identified in the Middle East and Europe and is believed to have originated in Saudi Arabia.  The virus is similar to SARS and was identified in 2012.  All reported cases have been linked to one of four countries:  Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.  Its symptoms include severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath with a mortality rate of about 50%.  There have been no cases of MERS in the United States.  Since it can be spread from person to person and from patient to healthcare workers, the CDC is taking precautions and providing state health departments with testing kits.  Although the source of the virus is still unknown, it appears to be most closely related to coronavirus in bats as is the SARS virus.