Role of China in the quest to define and control severe acute respiratory syndrome - Perspectives

Emerging Infectious Diseases, Sept, 2003 by Robert F. Breiman, Meirion R. Evans, Wolfgang Preiser, James Maguire, Alan Schnur, Ailan Li, Henk Bekedam, John S. MacKenzie

China has recently begun to vigorously address the need for better surveillance, accurate reporting, and forth-right public communication. Substantial epidemiologic, clinical, virologic, and immunologic expertise and interest are available within China to address the fundamental questions. International expertise is also available to provide guidance, feedback, and assistance when requested. Identifying the modest resources needed to implement the work should not be a barrier. Support from the government will be needed to carry out valid, transparent studies, and for permission to report the findings, regardless of the conclusions. SARS provides a jarring reminder of the preparedness that is needed to respond to emerging and existing disease threats; it highlights the need to reinvest in health in China, and strengthen public health programs, including surveillance systems and response capacity.

While disease incidence has abated in China and in other locations globally, the disease may still represent an important threat in the future. Many of the solutions to solve the multifaceted puzzle of SARS and to prevent future epidemics must come from China. Without solutions from that country, the degree of difficulty for sustained control of the problem globally is raised still higher.

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