'Virus is mutating fast' in Hong Kong Could outrace a cure

National Post - Canada ^ | Monday, May 05, 2003 | Brad Evenson

[InShanghai]

Scientists in Japan say warm weather may signal a break. Their studies show the SARS coronavirus begins to break down in temperatures in the mid-30s, but stayed active at temperatures of about seven degrees and lower. This suggests the virus could survive a winter in Canada.

Also yesterday, it was revealed a dozen former SARS patients here who were initially thought to have suffered relapses actually had other medical problems, health officials said.

It looks like there may be a break in this cycle after all. The next flu season is going to be a time to watch for sure.

[backhoe]

-SARS ( atypical pneumonia )- a partial archive --

[InShanghai]

The weather is warming up here, and it looks like there is hope after all.

IMO, if SARS was ignored completely, it would be rampant in many countries and a very large number of people would be dead or dying today. The efforts of the WHO, and each country where it had spread to has brought SARS to everyone's attention and caused an unprecedented slow down to a potential worldwide epidemic.

[Judith Anne]

Bump to myself.

[widowithfoursons]

I take your point about not ignoring the virus, but for all the zillions of dollars the WHO gets, are they nothing more than whistle blowers?

[InShanghai]

The WHO is another branch of the UN. I think it'll suffice to just say that.

I agree that there are plenty of other options out there...

[JustAnAmerican]

"It looks like there may be a break in this cycle after all. The next flu season is going to be a time to watch for sure.

I wouldn't count my chickens yet. If this Virus is mutating as fast as they say it is, what is to stop it from mutating to a form that can survive 30+ degrees?

[aristeides]

Key Developments Monday Concerning SARS .

[aristeides]

India has no SARS case, asserts Govt.

[InShanghai]

I would be surprised if it could survive 30+ degrees for more than 24 hours, not many viruses can. In fact, most viruses are wiped out in about 3 hours in 20+ temperature.

If it does than we all have something extremely serious to contend with. Let's hope all the research that's going on helps find a viable solution to the disease.

[aristeides]

Temperature may well explain (at least in part) why SARS has not turned out to be a serious threat in India.

[InShanghai]

Interesting theory. Influenza viruses have a season that corresponds to temperature. If this is a cold virus with traits of an influenza virus (as I've seen in other posts) then Sars may likely be seasonal also.

The season would probably be longer based on it's ability to survive large temperature variations (7C~30C).

[aristeides]

HK's Hospital Authority hits out at reports which said low SARS figures unreliable .

[2timothy3.16]

''The virus is mutating fast,'' said Dennis Lo, one of a team of microbiologists who have just finished a study on the SARS virus.

''Such a quick mutation means that even if there is a cure it may become ineffective. Even a diagnostic test may not be able to detect it if it has undergone change.''

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
pestilences, aids and 34 other non curable sex diseases, mad cow disease, sars, and the list goes on and on and on. Flame if you like, but give this a thought, Jesus said: Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Ignore His words if you choose, but, with pestilence like we now have here on earth, one would have to be rather foolish, in my not so humble opinion, to ignore the words of the Lord spoken 1,970 years ago.

[Dark Wing]

Is this what you expected?

[CathyRyan]

Wonder if reporters are reading FR?

[longtermmemmory]

Given that the socialized medicine departments of these countries have been hit with budget cuts, this could just be alarmist for more money. There are more profits (and budget monies) to be made with treatment and not cures.

[Judith Anne]

Wonder if reporters are reading FR?

Does a bear, er...ahem...eat in the woods?

[CathyRyan]

We do have some of the most up to date info. on sars here on FR. I wonder if we might even have the eyes of washington reading FR?

[Judith Anne]

You're absolutely correct. FR is cutting edge on information distribution. I would imagine that we have the eye of some in DC, and I hope they are carefully reading these SARS threads.