Medical BREAKTHROUGH: New chemical DISCOVERED to ‘tackle HOST of infectious diseases’

But Mr Neuman warned there are drawbacks to the usage of drugs such as AM580 – as the drug needs to damage cells to starve a virus – working in the same harmful way as treatments such as chemotherapy.

While cells can heal, much research still needs to be done on how and when to use such techniques.

Mr Neuman said: “Unless the treatment is targeted very carefully, the potential for side effects would be very worrying.”

Nearly 300 people died from SARS in Hong Kong in 2003.

The city’s densely packed apartment blocks are considered hugely vulnerable to future outbreaks.