|
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS virus has been
found in sweat glands and the intestines.
That s according to the latest study results released by
pathologists from the First Military Medical University in
Guangzhou, China.
Beyond the known method of transmission through airborne
droplets, the new research findings suggest, in theory, SARS
may spread via contaminated sewage, food or even a handshake.
To discuss these recent findings, Valarie Tan spoke to Professor
Lee Shiu Hung, a member of the SARS Expert Committee in Hong
Kong.
LSH: Well, the results of course is, providing additional
new information about the epidemiology of SARS. But we still
need to study the picture as a whole. We have to study in
more detail about the route of transmission. For example,
we know that civet cat is a transmittor of SARS but how could
this virus transmit from animal to human being, and then from
human being to another human being.
So you re saying that these new research findings doesn t
make a difference to what we already know about how SARS is
transmitted.
LSH: Well, in a way, it gives more details. But basically
we still have to go into the whole system of first, the role
of civet cats, then the transmittor and also the carrier whether
there s a possibility of carrier existing and also the route
of transmission. Early on, we ve identified that drops transmitted
is one of the main method but whether or not, there could
also be other way, like through the intestinal system, as
it has been mentioned about the outbreak in Amoy Gardens in
Hong Kong, because that s through the sewerage system.
Will these findings cause mass hysteria among the public
because the findings imply that SARS can be easily transmitted
through just skin contact into our sweat glands?
LSH: I think that s not the thing we have to give special
concern because we need to study the whole epidemiology. It
s not just the finding of the virus in the sweat glands. If
its transmitted, it can be transmitted in many other ways.
So we have to look at the system as a whole. And then of course,
we have to follow the basic principles of prevention. The
important thing is to deal with the outbreak as a whole.
The researchers also say that their findings imply that SARS
can be transmitted through food and human excretion. And we
see SARS resurfacing in China recently. Should China do something
with this new piece of research findings?
LSH: This is a thing we have think about as a world wide
effort. Its not just a particular country, because it is a
world wide effort. We have to understand this emerging infectious
diseases. SARS is one of them and the other is the avian flu.
It requires a joint effort of both the nations, the regions
and also international the World Health Organisation to deal
with them altogether.
Will the new findings also rule out the possibility of SARS
transmission through consumption of exotic animals like civet
cats?
LSH: Well, civet cat to human is one of the areas we have
to continue to do more study. It has been found the virus
has also been detected in the civet cat, the corona virus.
So now we have to deal with how this wildlife market can cause
transmission to human beings through the dealing of the animal,
through sale of the animal, through transport, through slaughtering
of the animal and also the food processing. All these needs
to have further detailed studying. So this is not just on
the human being but also no the veterinarian side as well.
We ve heard quite a few theories so far about how SARS can
be transmitted. But who can confirm these theories?
LSH: This is the joint effort of clinical medicine, public
health and laboratories together in all these directions.
Now we have to deal with SARS, in the 4 main headings. First,
we must identify the disease as early as possible. We must
report as early as possible. We must introduce this isolation
of patients contacts as early as possible and early action
on the kind of joint effort basis.
|
UN envoy to hold talks in Maldives