Home > Medical > Cold and flu infection > News 12 February 2013 New Sars-like virus infects British patient A new virus from the same family as Sars that sparked a global alert last September has been found in a further patient in Britain, health officials said on Monday. 0 Pin It Ask CyberDoc » Test Do you need vitamin C? » Join Body Talk » Quiz Addicted to pills? » 6 ways to fight off the flu Know your symptoms A new virus from the same family as Sars that sparked a global alert last September has been found in a further patient in Britain, health officials said on Monday.This latest case of infection with the new virus known as a coronavirus brings the total number of confirmed cases globally to 10, of which five have died.The British patient, who had recently traveled to the Middle East and Pakistan, is receiving intensive care treatment in hospital in Manchester, northern England.Symptoms of Sars in new virusThe new virus shares some of the symptoms of Sars, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - a coronavirus that emerged in China in 2002 and killed about a tenth of the 8 000 people it infected worldwide. The symptoms include severe respiratory illness, fever, coughing and breathing difficulties.The virus was identified when the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an international alert in September 2012 saying a virus previously unknown in humans had infected a Qatari man who had recently been in Saudi Arabia. Britain's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said among the 10 laboratory confirmed cases to date, five had been in Saudi Arabia, with three deaths; two were in Jordan, where both patients died; two were in Britain, where both are receiving treatment; and one was in Germany in a patient from Qatar who had since been discharged from medical care.Importance of healthcare staff The agency said in a statement on Monday it was providing advice to ensure the latest British patient was treated appropriately and healthcare staff were protected. People who have had contact with the patient are also being tracked to check on their health."Our assessment is that the risk associated with novel coronavirus to the general UK population remains extremely low and the risk to travelers to the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries remains very low," the HPA said. Coronaviruses are typically spread like other respiratory infections, such as flu, traveling in airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.The WHO said in September that from its initial investigations, it appeared this virus did not spread easily from person to person. Reuters More in Medical Paid sick leave reduces spread of flu More: Cold and flu infectionNews advertisement Get a quote Selfmed - the one with the apple Momentum - save up to 35% on healthcare Medihelp - quality, affordable medical scheme cover advertisement Read Health24’s Comments Policy Comment on this story 0 comments Add your comment Thank you, your comment has been submitted. Logout Comment 0 characters remaining Share on Facebook Logout Comment 0 characters remaining Share on Facebook Loading comments... Other news Lifestyle 1 in 10 in SA has addiction problem Medical Red meat tied to higher diabetes risk Medical Eastern Cape needs drug stock Lifestyle Social media boosts organ donor registration Lifestyle More patients getting lab-grown body parts Diet and nutrition Gene variants may play role in obesity From our sponsors Don’t be taken by surprise this winter, keep your defences up with Vital Hop, skip and jump through winter with Hill’s Pet Nutrition Age-related bone loss is higher in women Conduct your most important Medihelp business from your mobile phone Live healthier Fight off the flu » Flu-proof your home Flu guide Sleep soundly Flu season Boost your defences this winter. Brush up on your smile » Dental caries Bad breath Ask the expert How to brush your teeth Here's the correct way to brush your teeth.
0 Pin It Ask CyberDoc » Test Do you need vitamin C? » Join Body Talk » Quiz Addicted to pills? » 6 ways to fight off the flu Know your symptoms A new virus from the same family as Sars that sparked a global alert last September has been found in a further patient in Britain, health officials said on Monday.This latest case of infection with the new virus known as a coronavirus brings the total number of confirmed cases globally to 10, of which five have died.The British patient, who had recently traveled to the Middle East and Pakistan, is receiving intensive care treatment in hospital in Manchester, northern England.Symptoms of Sars in new virusThe new virus shares some of the symptoms of Sars, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - a coronavirus that emerged in China in 2002 and killed about a tenth of the 8 000 people it infected worldwide. The symptoms include severe respiratory illness, fever, coughing and breathing difficulties.The virus was identified when the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an international alert in September 2012 saying a virus previously unknown in humans had infected a Qatari man who had recently been in Saudi Arabia. Britain's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said among the 10 laboratory confirmed cases to date, five had been in Saudi Arabia, with three deaths; two were in Jordan, where both patients died; two were in Britain, where both are receiving treatment; and one was in Germany in a patient from Qatar who had since been discharged from medical care.Importance of healthcare staff The agency said in a statement on Monday it was providing advice to ensure the latest British patient was treated appropriately and healthcare staff were protected. People who have had contact with the patient are also being tracked to check on their health."Our assessment is that the risk associated with novel coronavirus to the general UK population remains extremely low and the risk to travelers to the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries remains very low," the HPA said. Coronaviruses are typically spread like other respiratory infections, such as flu, traveling in airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.The WHO said in September that from its initial investigations, it appeared this virus did not spread easily from person to person. Reuters More in Medical Paid sick leave reduces spread of flu More: Cold and flu infectionNews