New plans to combat future outbreaks. . or other diseases - APEC Focus - of severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS - Brief Article

Business Asia, July, 2003

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that nations in the Asia-Pacific region must be vigilant and prepare for possible outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or other diseases.

Almost a 10th of the 8456 people infected with SARS have died, according to World Health Organization figures.

"There is no telling when it will re-emerge and how much more damage it will do the next time around," Thaksin said at a meeting in Bangkok of health ministers at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. "What's more, it is possible that the next outbreak will be of another disease just as unknown and mysterious."

New measures

APEC has agreed on a series of measures to help protect against future SARS-like outbreaks, including common monitoring guidelines for air passengers.

In a special meeting of APEC senior officials, a submission to APEC Health Ministers containing short- and long-term common actions to confront the current SARS epidemic was passed. The plans are intended to facilitate measures to protect against possible outbreaks of similar epidemics in the future while at the same time ensuring the flow of trade and investment.

The meeting, co-chaired by Tej Bunnag, permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr Pakdee Pothisiri, deputy permanent secretary, Ministry of Public of Health of Thailand, was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tej said all APEC member economies should cooperate more closely on prevention and treatment of SARS and other potential emerging diseases.

"Discussion of SARS at high levels indicates a strong determination to take all necessary action, individually, collectively and in cooperation with relevant international organizations to minimise the social and economic impact of SARS," he said.