PARIS: A novel strain of the deadly SARS virus that sparked a health scare this year is closely related to a virus found in Asian bats, according to a study published on Tuesday.
Scientists in the Netherlands said they had sequenced the genetic code of a viral sample taken from a 60-year-old man whose death in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in June triggered fears that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was returning in a new guise.
The new strain, called HCoV-EMC/2012, is part of a viral family called coronavirus, but in a specific category called betacoronavirus.
Its closest known cousins are a strain found in lesser bamboo bats (Tylonycteris pachypus) and another found in Japanese house bats, Pipistrellus abramus.
“The virus is most closely related to viruses in bats in Asia, and there are no human viruses closely related to it,” said Ron Fouchier of the prestigious Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.
“Therefore we speculate that it comes from an animal source,” he said, noting that Pipistrellus bats are present in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.
An epidemic of SARS erupted in China in 2002, eventually claiming around 800 deaths in some 30 countries.
Bats were linked with a novel strain of SARS found in 2005. Hong Kong researchers found a natural “reservoir” of it in Chinese horseshoe bats.
Two other men have also fallen sick in the latest SARS episode.
One is a Qatari man who had been in Saudi Arabia and is being treated at a hospital in London.
There is 99.6-99.7 percent similarity between his strain and the virus sequenced in the Netherlands, said Fouchier in a press release.
“They are the same species,” he said, adding that the difference was sufficient to suggest that the men had been infected by different sources.
The other is a Saudi man whose case was announced earlier this month by the Saudi health ministry, which on November 4 described him as cured.
The genomic sequence of that virus is not yet available, Fouchier said.
The WHO said that what set the new virus apart from SARS was that it causes rapid kidney failure.
Fears rose last month over the potential spread of the virus during the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. But the kingdom’s health ministry repeatedly reassured pilgrims that no epidemic outbreaks had been registered.
The new paper appears in mBio, an online journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
New SARS virus linked to bats
New SARS virus linked to bats
Where We Are Going Today: Dear Duck in Jeddah
- The croissant was delicious and light, perfect for those who do not want a heavy first meal of the day
If you love an aesthetically pleasing brunch spot, Dear Duck in Jeddah is the place for you.
Located in the up-and-coming La Paz Plaza, Dear Duck is hard to miss with its large yellow door and matching umbrellas and outdoor tables. Dear Duck classifies itself as an “all day eatery” but the rave on TikTok has been about its brunch hour.
I decided to visit for brunch on a sunny Jeddah afternoon. The interior design is pleasant with quirky pieces and colors to emphasize the theme throughout.
It has little duck feet hanging from the ceiling, with the waiters wearing shirts with “Dear Saudi, I love you” written on the back.
I am a big fan of having a savory dish before dessert and Dear Duck’s brunch menu made that possible. I also place a lot of emphasis on a good, caffeinated beverage to pair with my brunch, which was also available.
For my main dish, from The Egg Club section of the menu, I chose the Cozy Croissant costing SR58 ($15) which was stuffed with fluffy eggs, cheese, and smoked turkey. For a less basic dish, the menu offers shakshuka, an acai bowl, and oats among other options.
The croissant was delicious and light, perfect for those who do not want a heavy first meal of the day. I paired my meal with their Sweet Matcha (SR28) opting for an oat-milk substitute and added vanilla syrup. The iced matcha was balanced in sweetness and the powder was whisked into a nice green shade.
My friend and I decided to explore an option from The Sweet Corner section of the menu, which has Classic Pancakes, Apple Pancakes, Dulce Dreams pancakes, and Famous Croissant Pudding.
We decided on the Classic Pancakes (SR42) to maintain a traditional brunch meal, which came topped with mixed berries and a side of maple syrup.
The pancakes were thick and less on the fluffy side, but they paired nicely with the syrup. On my next visit, I would love to try the Famous Croissant Pudding, which costs SR62 and comes with caramel sauce and cinnamon cream.
If you are on the hunt for an aesthetic and bubbly brunch spot in Jeddah, Dear Duck is a great choice. I would call ahead for reservations just in case because the restaurant has been receiving a lot of attention online.
