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Response 1

Dear Camilo, after reading your post I must say that you did a wonderful job in explaining Seoul Virus especially the contamination methods helped a lot in understanding how people might get infected with this virus. Seoul is a type of Hantavirus that results in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. This virus is carried by rats yet they are immune to this virus. I also agree with you that this virus is spread not only through direct exposure of the contaminated material but also through infected rat’s urine and saliva. However, also I would like to add that there is no evidence that this virus is spread through one human to another. During an outbreak in different states of the US, 11 people got infected with this virus (Kerins, & Seoul Virus Working Group 2018). Therefore I also agree with your point that there is a need to spread awareness regarding this disease as most of the people have rats as their pets and are more prone to getting infected. Several tests such as the PCR test can help in detecting this virus. So if a person has fever, inflammation, and redness with abdominal pain, he must go to nearby health care facility to get tested for this virus as a precautionary measure.

Response 2

Dear Janelle, you did an incredible job of explaining SARS. The approach you used in explaining the syndrome is commendable. SARS can be referred to as a serious form of pneumonia in which a person faces severe difficulty in breathing. While discussing the epidemiology of this syndrome there were approximately more than 5328 cases of people getting infected with this virus in China during the outbreak (Holmes, 2003). I agree with you that this disease is spreading through human to human contact. However, I would also like to add that people can also get infected even by using the contaminated utensils of an infected person or sharing food. As SARS is a respiratory syndrome I also agree with you that it can be diagnosed after taking a chest X-ray or CT-scan. There is no specific treatment of SARS yet people are given antibiotics and can be put on a ventilator or supplemental oxygen if necessary. Although, following proper hygiene can protect people from getting infected with this virus.

References

Kerins, J. L., Koske, S. E., Kazmierczak, J., Austin, C., Gowdy, K., Dibernardo, A., ... & Seoul Virus Working Group. (2018). Outbreak of Seoul virus among rats and rat owners—United States and Canada, 2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67(4), 131.

Holmes, K. V. (2003). SARS coronavirus: a new challenge for prevention and therapy. The Journal of clinical investigation, 111(11), 1605-1609.