SARS broke out at a time of heightened alert to the threat of bioterrorism. Incidents critical to its spread defy explanation to this day - unless terrorism is considered. Why was it not?
Thanks for a very interesting read. Lots of information that was new to me. If you haven't already, maybe you'll consider including mention in an upcoming article of the theory proposed by Zhong et al -where there were two strains of SARS, one more virulent and severe which died out quite quickly; the other milder and potentially able to circulate quietly for an extended period.
As with SARS-CoV-2 there was a range of clinical symptoms and variability in the overall severity, some people were infected asymptomatically. The later stages were said to be less severe, but it may be that milder cases were by then being detected, which may have gone unnoticed in the earlier phases when there were no tests. In some incidents (e.g. the Metropole Hotel) that were thoroughly contact traced, cases were confirmed much later (by serology) who had never thought to present to hospital.
I agree it’s also possible genetic mutations reduced the severity, but there are these confounders and unfortunately nowhere near as much data as we have with SARS-CoV-2.
Do you know if it was even possible to aerosolize something like a coronavirus in 2002 and make whatever did it travel sized? Who would have such capability?
The simplest device that could have resulted in the Flight CA112 outcome might just be a nebulizer or even a spray bottle. Amoy Gardens would require something more substantial but still might be obtained off the shelf (perhaps an industrial mister or sprayer as are often used at construction sites).
Although I believe this is the work of a state actor with a long history of bioweapon development - including aerosolization systems for deployment, they may have chosen not to use equipment that was too sophisticated and precise.
I'm asking a dumber question. Was it possible even for a state actor to keep a novel virus stably in solution at that time? Are there other proven examples of those capabilities?
Thanks for a very interesting read. Lots of information that was new to me. If you haven't already, maybe you'll consider including mention in an upcoming article of the theory proposed by Zhong et al -where there were two strains of SARS, one more virulent and severe which died out quite quickly; the other milder and potentially able to circulate quietly for an extended period.
As with SARS-CoV-2 there was a range of clinical symptoms and variability in the overall severity, some people were infected asymptomatically. The later stages were said to be less severe, but it may be that milder cases were by then being detected, which may have gone unnoticed in the earlier phases when there were no tests. In some incidents (e.g. the Metropole Hotel) that were thoroughly contact traced, cases were confirmed much later (by serology) who had never thought to present to hospital.
I agree it’s also possible genetic mutations reduced the severity, but there are these confounders and unfortunately nowhere near as much data as we have with SARS-CoV-2.
Do you know if it was even possible to aerosolize something like a coronavirus in 2002 and make whatever did it travel sized? Who would have such capability?
The simplest device that could have resulted in the Flight CA112 outcome might just be a nebulizer or even a spray bottle. Amoy Gardens would require something more substantial but still might be obtained off the shelf (perhaps an industrial mister or sprayer as are often used at construction sites).
Although I believe this is the work of a state actor with a long history of bioweapon development - including aerosolization systems for deployment, they may have chosen not to use equipment that was too sophisticated and precise.
I'm asking a dumber question. Was it possible even for a state actor to keep a novel virus stably in solution at that time? Are there other proven examples of those capabilities?
Yes. Isolates are very stable at low temperatures, often shipped internationally packaged with dry ice - cheap and readily available.