Warning issued over new SARS-like virus

This transcript is automatically generated

Is that a pandemic after a virus infects fifteen people.

And killing nine and that despite -- is relatively small numbers we think about a scientists are already comparing this to SARS which killed nearly 800 people a decade ago.

The World Health Organization also issued a global alert for this virus.

Scientists recently confirmed the first case -- and the case that has the person to person transmission that.

Always raises a lot of concerns.

And early symptoms include things like fever and a cough shortness of breath doctor William Shatner is the -- a preventative at preventive.

I'm medicine Amanda broke the university.

Medical center he's also former president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases is makes them the perfect person to talk to -- -- Here -- it and we know so little.

Why is there such concern about this virus.

I can the reason there's concern is that this virus resembles molecular late in the laboratory.

The original SARS virus of a decade ago.

And we'll all remember that stars exploded out of southeast Asia was transmitted all across the world and caused many many deaths.

It was highly highly transmissible.

And so.

Now we have a new SARS like virus that has suddenly been identified.

It's not as transmissible fortunately but it still has a high fatality rate you bet we're keeping an eye on this virus.

How did these sort of outbreaks of work if there is indeed an outbreak of this virus does it.

Virtually happen overnight like the movies you know -- zero to nine.

Or is it more gradual than that.

Well these days we have a new technological capacity to identified these new viruses and so we are learning more about.

New viruses all the time we have more information.

This outbreak is kind of smoldering along there are cases being identified.

And the world -- health organization has all of us around the world infectious disease doctors public health officials on the alert.

So that if anybody comes to the United States from that part of the world the Middle East and as a funky pneumonia pneumonia that we can't I -- if.

-- right away -- it's and it's so weird -- -- to consider the symptoms sound like that.

A common cold so what would what would stand out specifically about.

That's got these aren't new -- illnesses -- that involve the chest in the long list with cough.

Fever serious illness and if you take X rays you'll see that he longs are involved with pneumonia.

We would get specimens and send those to our reference laboratory the CDC in Atlanta that would do the investigation is to see if this virus is involved and we're all on the alert for this.

-- people on the alert -- some big questions about.

What Saudi Arabia is doing to help this process because apparently that's where several people came down with these cases and there's a question of whether or not we're getting the right information.

About it doctor Shatner we -- for having me back as always thank you sir.

My pleasure.

Watch Live

Warning issued over new SARS-like virus

Details

Clips

Editor's Picks

Okla. Gov. Fallin: We're strong and we'll rebuild

House of Scandals: Where was Obama?

Tea Party group sues IRS for political profiling

State Dept. official says he was 'scapegoat' for Benghazi

Gutfeld: Media still cast Tea Party as villains, not victims

Sen. Paul: 'Someone has to be fired' over IRS scandal

Search, rescue efforts still underway at tornado-hit school

Survivor: Family will 'stay together and just rebuild'

Scandals affecting public opinion of Obama administration?

Oklahoma: How you can help rescue teams on the ground

First responders raise flag after devastating tornado

Moore, Oklahoma resident: 'God, protect me. Protect me'

Transcript

Recommended