SARS case may have a new strain

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 05 Jan 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Someone who is suspected of having SARS in southern China may have caught a mutated strain of the virus, say genetics experts.

Chinese newspapers are saying that the person may have contracted the virus from rats (unconfirmed). The patient is a 32-year-old TV producer.

The expert said that it is definitely a coronavirus, but a different strain from last year's. The virus last year infected over 8000 people and killed nearly 800.

The SARS virus and the common cold both belong to the coronavirus family.

Scientists say that the SARS which first appeared in Southern China (November 2002) probably spread from farms in the area and jumped to humans from animals such as cats, ducks, pigs and rats.

The lab tests that have been carried out on the latest suspected case (the TV producer) have had inconclusive results.

WHO's expert said that he cannot comment on whether this is a new strain until he has checked the studies.

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