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15/04/2003
German firm markets Sars virus test
German biotechnology firm Artus has produced a rapid test for the virus believed to be at the cause of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) epidemic.
According to Artus the kit can confirm the presence of the virus in under two hours as opposed to traditional antibody tests which take between ten and 14 days. The kit is to be shipped worldwide for evaluation by dedicated virology labs which will test the kit in field trials.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has welcomed the test as it seeks to contain the spread of the Sars virus.
Latest figures produced by the WHO indicate that 144 people have died as a result of the disease and that over 3,300 suspect cases had been notified.
Health chief remain concerned that unlike influenza, Sars has the capability to kill some apparently healthy individuals.
A recent WHO briefing confirmed that one in ten patients who contracted Sars virus needed to be placed on a ventilator, of these almost half 4.6% would die.
The WHO has been highly critical of the Chinese authorities who have been reluctant to release details of the outbreak which was first identified in Guangdong province and has now been reported in three other provinces in China.
The genetic sequence of the corona virus suspected to be the cause of deadly flu-like Sars was published at the weekend by researchers in Canada. Though scientists and health chiefs, who hailed the work as a breakthrough, have warned that producing a cure is some way off.
(SP)
According to Artus the kit can confirm the presence of the virus in under two hours as opposed to traditional antibody tests which take between ten and 14 days. The kit is to be shipped worldwide for evaluation by dedicated virology labs which will test the kit in field trials.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has welcomed the test as it seeks to contain the spread of the Sars virus.
Latest figures produced by the WHO indicate that 144 people have died as a result of the disease and that over 3,300 suspect cases had been notified.
Health chief remain concerned that unlike influenza, Sars has the capability to kill some apparently healthy individuals.
A recent WHO briefing confirmed that one in ten patients who contracted Sars virus needed to be placed on a ventilator, of these almost half 4.6% would die.
The WHO has been highly critical of the Chinese authorities who have been reluctant to release details of the outbreak which was first identified in Guangdong province and has now been reported in three other provinces in China.
The genetic sequence of the corona virus suspected to be the cause of deadly flu-like Sars was published at the weekend by researchers in Canada. Though scientists and health chiefs, who hailed the work as a breakthrough, have warned that producing a cure is some way off.
(SP)
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09 September 2003
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17 July 2003
Vigilance urged over possible reappearance of Sars virus
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Vigilance urged over possible reappearance of Sars virus
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