HEALTH REPORT - SARS Virus No Longer Such a Mystery

HEALTH REPORT - SARS Virus No Longer Such a Mystery
By Cynthia Kirk

Broadcast: Wednesday, July 27, 2005

I'm Shep O'Neal with the VOA Special English Health Report.

 
SARS is a viral disease
There is progress toward a possible treatment for lung diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome¹.

Researchers have learned more about how the SARS virus works. It interferes² with a system in the body that uses enzymes⁴ to control blood pressure and fluid balance. The scientists say the virus attaches to an enzyme³ known as ACE-two. The virus blocks the enzyme, permitting fluid to enter the lungs.

So the researchers put large amounts of the ACE-two enzyme into the lungs of laboratory mice. The scientists say the ACE-two attached to the virus and prevented it from linking to normal cells. The enzyme helped to protect against lung failure.

A team from Europe and Asia reported the findings in Nature Medicine. Doctor Josef Penninger of the Institute of Molecular⁵ Biotechnology in the Austrian Academy of Sciences was the lead writer of the report.

The discovery could lead to new ways to treat not just SARS but also other diseases that can cause lung failure. These include avian flu and influenza⁶ in humans. First, however, more study is needed to know if the enzyme will have the same effect in people as in mice.

The first cases of SARS were discovered in Guangdong province, in southern China, in November of two thousand two. Chinese officials were criticized for delaying or hiding information about the problem. SARS was not recognized as a worldwide threat until March of two thousand three.

The disease spread to twenty-six countries, most of them in the Asia-Pacific area. An estimated eight thousand people had SARS. More then seven hundred seventy of them died, or about ten percent, a relatively⁷ high rate.

The World Health Organization warned people not to travel to affected⁸ areas. The crisis hurt international travel and business. The W.H.O. says the disease stopped spreading by July of two thousand three. As a result of SARS, the health agency got new powers to act before a government officially announces a crisis.

SARS is a newly discovered member of the coronavirus family. Some coronaviruses are mild by comparison, like those that cause the common cold. But coronaviruses in animals can be more severe.

SARS is believed to have crossed from animals to people. Many questions remain about how the virus first appeared and when it might appear again.

This VOA Special English Health Report was written by Cynthia Kirk.  I'm Shep O'Neal.

1 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

2 interferes   

vi. 妨碍，冲突，干涉

参考例句：

• The noise interferes with my work. 这噪音妨碍我的工作。
• That interferes with my plan. 那干扰了我的计划。

3 enzyme   

n.酵素，酶

参考例句：

• Above a certain temperature,the enzyme molecule will become unfolded.超过一定温度，酶分子将会展开。
• An enzyme that dissolves the fibrin of blood clots.能溶解血凝块中的纤维的酶。

4 enzymes   

n. 酶，酵素

参考例句：

• It was said that washing powders containing enzymes remove stains more efficiently. 据说加酶洗衣粉除污更有效。
• Among the enzymes which are particularly effective are pepsin, papain. 在酶当中特别有效的是胃朊酶、木瓜酶。

5 molecular   

adj.分子的；克分子的

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
• For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。

6 influenza   

n.流行性感冒，流感

参考例句：

• They took steps to prevent the spread of influenza.他们采取措施
• Influenza is an infectious disease.流感是一种传染病。

7 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

8 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。