Step by Step, Scientists Track Mystery Ailment. 'The relentless spread of SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, in Hong Kong and mainland China has confounded the public health system.' There are three cases in Virginia as of last Saturday:

'Known coronaviruses cause the common cold and are suspected of causing diarrheal and other intestinal illness in humans. Though pesky, the ailments are rarely fatal. But in animals, coronaviruses can cause devastating illness among cats, dogs, chickens, pigs and cattle. Hardy coronaviruses can survive outside the body for up to three hours, allowing a contaminated object to spread infection. The suspect coronavirus has not been identified previously, and for now it is hard to know how deadly it will become...'  By Lawrence K. Altman, M.d.. [New York Times: Health]

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