How is SARS transmitted?

What is SARS?

SARS is a viral disease caused by a coronavirus, a subset group of viruses that are responsible for many cases of the “common cold”. Though the exact origins of this relatively new virus are unknown, it is believed that civets, a mammal with a cat-like appearance, may have been the source of transmission to humans.

In the Chinese province of Guangdong where the outbreak began, civets are considered a delicacy. A similar virus to SARS has also been discovered in Horseshoe bats, giving rise to the possibility that the bats transferred the virus to civets which in turn infected humans. In 2004, the sale of civets in the Guangdong province was banned and it was ordered that all civets in captivity should be slaughtered.