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Officials Target Cause of 'Mystery' Disease

An outbreak of a new type of pneumonia known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, is on its way to containment, at least outside of Asia, according to the World Health Organization. Meanwhile, scientists have found evidence that a virus is possibly the cause of the disease. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Microbiologists in Hong Kong and Germany used powerful electron microscopes to hunt for unusual organisms in samples from SARS patients. The researchers say a virus similar in shape to viruses that cause measles and mumps may be the cause. It's known as a paramyxovirus. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta caution more work needs to be done to determine if the virus is responsible.

So far, the World Health Organization has identified more than 260 suspected SARS cases, and nine people have died. Symptoms of the disease include a sudden high fever, a dry cough and difficulty breathing. Most of those infected live in Southeast Asia, have recently traveled there or live with someone who recently traveled there.

The World Health Organization's Dr. David Heyman says the global alert sent out nearly a week ago has worked remarkably well to help contain the outbreak. He says new cases continue to surface, but country health officials are isolating them properly and staving off further transmission.

In the United States, federal officials have identified 11 possible cases of SARS. Labs at the CDC are analyzing specimens.

Although there are no definitive answers about the disease yet, health officials worldwide agree: SARS is likely a naturally occurring outbreak not an intentional bio-terrorist act.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Award-winning journalist Patti Neighmond is NPR's health policy correspondent. Her reports air regularly on NPR newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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