As "Mysterious virus spreads" headlines crop up on the Internet, another SARS-like virus infected a 10th victim, said sources Monday. So far, the coronavirus has claimed the lives of five people worldwide. The latest mystery virus case was contracted by a man in Britain.
In a Feb. 11 report, Reuters said that the British man -- the 10th case -- with the mysterious virus that is spreading recently traveled to Pakistan and other parts of the Middle East.
The unnamed man is currently in ICU receiving aggressive treatment at a hospital in northern England.
Perhaps, you've heard of SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which caused global panic back in 2002. Then, officials found evidence of a mystery virus spreading throughout China and slowly making its way to North America, including Canada.
Of the 8,000 confirmed cases back then, the disease killed about 10 percent of those infected.
According to the WHO or World Health Organization, the coronavirus mimics a bad case of the flu or viral pneumonia. Patients present with high fever, body aches, weakness, and difficulty breathing.
Because the respiratory disease is often fatal in the elderly, children and those with compromised immune conditions, medical experts are worried about the spread of the mysterious virus, similar to SARS.
However, even with the high mortality rates, officials say chances of an epidemic or pandemic are very low at this time.
Back in September, the WHO said the disease does not travel from person to person. However, more research is needed to learn why the mysterious virus spreads so easily.
Comments