What causes SARS?
Researchers in eight different laboratories have found strong evidence that the cause of SARS is a virus in the coronavirus family. This group of viruses has a halo or crown-like (corona) appearance when viewed under a microscope. Other kinds of coronaviruses are frequent causes of the common cold, while still others cause animal diseases. The coronavirus believed to cause SARS appears to be a mutation (a slight alteration) of a virus that normally infects animals. It’s not uncommon for animal viruses to leap to humans after undergoing such mutations. New evidence has ruled out several viruses once suspected of causing SARS (such as paramyxoviruses and metapneumoviruses).
