The director of the Centers for Disease and Prevention Dr. Julie L. Gerberding warned that the deadly flu-like illness known as SARS, for severe acute respiratory syndrome, could be spread very easily through close contact and expressed deep concern that it might also be spread through the air or on contaminated objects.
“The potential for infecting large numbers of people is very great,” said the director, Dr. Julie L. Gerberding. “We may be in the very early stages of a much larger” epidemic of a disease for which there is no specific treatment beyond standard supportive nursing and respiratory care, Dr. Gerberding added.
Officials continue to monitor developments in Hong Kong, where the disease may have sickened 78 people in apartment complex over the last three days. The development suggests the virus could be airborne rather than spread by droplets from sneezing or coughing as previously thought.
So far, the World Health Organization has received reports of 1,550 SARS cases, including 54 deaths. Survivors are said to be recovering slowly, after long hospitalizations including the need for support from mechanical respirators.
(via New York Times)
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