Efforts to Contain SARS Showing Progress

Data have confirmed that the virus is mainly spread by droplets from the sneezes and coughs of infected people to those who have been in close contact with them. People with SARS appear to be most infectious during the second week of illness. However, all cases should be treated as highly infectious from the very first symptom in order to minimize the possibility of transmission to others.

In a related development, German researchers have found that an experimental drug tested as a common cold remedy might be modified to fight the SARS virus. The drug, known as AG-7088, is in clinical trials for treatment of rhinovirus, which causes colds. The compound itself could not be used to treat SARS but it could represent a good starting point for designing a SARS drug, reported the researchers, from the University of Luebeck (Germany).