SARS: How a global epidemic was stopped

Peck, Kyong Ran

The second part includes the science of SARS. Clinical features are extensively described based on all the published literature. Sporadic cases of SARS have been reported after the containment of SARS outbreak in 2003. A high index of suspicion is essential for the early diagnosis of SARS and prevention of outbreak, and the book provides enough information for clinical suspicion. The overview of the causative agent, SARS coronavirus, is provided in addition to a review of the microbiology of coronavirus. Owing to international cooperation of experts, the identification of the causative agent was possible within weeks from the outbreak. Furthermore, genetic analysis and laboratory diagnosis of SARS were accomplished in a short time. The capabilities and limitations of various methods of laboratory diagnostics of SARS and the current status of vaccine development are reviewed in detail. The hypothesis that SARS virus was transferred from animals to humans is summarized briefly, and this issue is still important in the prevention of reemergence of SARS and emergence of new diseases. The last part of this book is for the future preparedness, discussing the lessons learned from the SARS outbreak. Additionally, the extensive bibliography throughout this book would provide invaluable information for further interests.