Molecular Biology of the SARS-Coronavirus – Sunil K. Lal

Molecular Biology of the SARS-Coronavirus

The SARS outbreak took the whole world by surprise in November 2002. It was the most unprecedented epidemic outbreak in recorded history and the first major new infectious disease of this century, unusual in its high morbidity and mortality rates and in strategically taking advantage of modern international travel to propagate itself around the world. What followed was a global havoc created by this disease, bringing the healthcare system of affected areas to a grinding halt, affecting healthcare providers, disrupting scheduled emergency surgeries and vital treatment to patients with serious conditions, overloading hospitals with infected cases, forcing public events to be cancelled, and schools, and borders to be closed. The economic impact on individuals and businesses was profound, downregulating tourism, education, and employment.
The epidemic was completely different from all known traditional atypical types of pneumonia because patients experienced lack of oxygen at the onset of the disease and hence required the aid of modern respiratory equipment to breathe. This syndrome was contagious enough to infect a substantial number of people widely and easily. In our days of medical advancement and high technology, which has subsequently led to increased life spans and longevity, a growing confidence had emerged in mankind that it had now achieved the ability to overcome the most complicated life-threatening situations. SARS shattered this confidence and made us realize once again that there are hundreds of dangerous and virulent microorganisms living on the other side of the border that can kill humans. What separates us from them is only the species barrier.