Replies

Well cowboy do you feel lucky?

You are the reigning prognosticator on this board.

Care to take a stab at:

Family -

Genus -

Species -

The virus responsible for SARS is considered by some research groups to be a member of the well-known Paramyxoviridae family. Yesterday, Canadian researchers released findings suggesting that the metapneumovirus, which belongs to this family, may be the cause. The metapneumovirus was first discovered by Dutch scientists in June 2001 at a laboratory that is also included in the new WHO network.

At the time of its discovery, the virus was known to cause respiratory disease in humans, including some cases of pneumonia, but showed a different transmission pattern and was much less severe than the SARS agent. At this point, it cannot be ruled out that an entirely different virus from another family may be responsible for the SARS outbreak.
WHO cautions that the race to identify the SARS causative agent is by no means over. Although the virus has now been isolated, its identity remains elusive. Other research groups in the network of collaborating labs are producing hints that the causative agent may belong to another virus family.

Some of you other Ladies and Gentlemen may care to venture into the land of conjecture, please join in...

I am going to stick with my original guess (until proven wrong or humiliated):

Family:Paramyxoviridae

Genus: Henipavirus

Species: Unknown until present - a mutant of the Henipavirus Genus - made a species jump from pigs

Paramyxoviradae
Genus Metapneumovirus(No brainer heh?)
This is respiratory so it will likely be closer to the Menanglevirus that broke out from that part of the world about five years ago. Hendra is contracted through urine so it is not suspect. Both of these were carried by bats. I am betting that the host reservoir is going to be some innocuous little furry creature and the virus a mutant from that virus into humans. It could be from pigs, birds(turkeys) and Good God Forbid, companion animals such as a cat or dog. I understand the Turkey Rhinotracheitis Virus is virtually indistinguishable from the human metapneumoviruses.