New 'Sars-like' coronavirus identified by UK officials

[joebloggs]

i remember going to the Phils with the Sars outbreak, some people on the plane were wearing masks, but after a while they soon took them off when they tired to eat or drink

A new respiratory illness similar to the Sars virus that spread globally in 2003 and killed hundreds of people has been identified in a man who is being treated in Britain.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19698335

[Doc Alan]

This “ new “ virus is not the Sars ( severe acute respiratory syndrome ) virus but is a coronavirus, of the group which includes common cold viruses. Of course it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep travel advice under review – but also to keep a sense of proportion. It’s the second laboratory-confirmed case.

Contrast this with 18,500 confirmed deaths worldwide caused by the 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus ( “ swine flu “ ) - probably a fraction of the true number of deaths. There were over 200,000 respiratory deaths and over 80,000 cardiovascular deaths associated with H1N1. Most of these were in people younger than 65 and at least half in southeast Asia / Africa.

While slightly off-topic, it’s worth taking the chance to remind members ( as I have done in previous years ) to think about the “ flu jab “. Each year World Health Organization ( WHO ) identifies the viruses most likely to cause flu. They mutate / change over time, so last year’s jab will not necessarily protect from flu this year, and protection is incomplete anyway. This year the strains are H1N1, H3N2, and B/Winsconsin/1 - in the UK, Philippines, and anywhere else worldwide. For the UK, if your GP has not already contacted you, arrange your flu jab before any outbreak occurs. From 2014 it’s recommended that all UK children/teenagers ( 2 – 17 ) should have the vaccine - when it will be available as a nasal spray, not an injection. Not everyone requires the jab. ( http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu-jab...uldbedone.aspx ).

[Arthur Little]

Interesting article ... and timeous response, Alan ... coincidentally, NHS Tayside is currently sending out its Annual Reminder to those eligible for the flu' jab!