Module 5: Global Pandemic

In 2003, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as SARS, was reported in Asia in February 2003. SARS is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus. Over the next few months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained. According to the World Health Organization, a total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with SARS during the 2003 outbreak. Of these, 774 died. In the United States, only eight people had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV infection. All of these people had traveled to other parts of the world where SARS was spreading. People were vulnerable to SARS because it spread by close person-to-person contact. SARS-CoV is thought to be transmitted respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Droplet spread can happen when droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person propel a short distance through the air and deposited on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are nearby. The virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated with infectious droplets and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eyes. In addition, it is possible that SARS-CoV might be spread more broadly through the air, making it airborne. Because of its ability to spread so easily, people began to quarantine and stay home, preventing them from contracting this illness. We can learn that early detection is important when new diseases come into our life, due to the fact that we can treat it and find a cure. However, when people don't isolate themselves, the disease spreads faster than doctors being able to treat it. As a result, we must stay home in order to speed up the time of treating the disease.