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The New York Times

Editorial Desk | May 12, 2003, Monday
Preventing the Next SARS

By Ezekiel J. Emanuel (NYT) 776 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A , Page 25 , Column 2

ABSTRACT - Op-Ed article by Dr Ezekiel J Emanuel on need to put in effect strategy that tries to prevent future SARS-like outbreaks now; says many virologists think human-animal virus mixing may be at root of coronavirus that causes SARS; says better surveillance is essential, but that alone would not change underlying human-animal cohabitation that is source of problem; says in China, source of many new viruses, slaughtering is not restricted to processing plants that segretate animals from birds, with inspections to enforce hygienic standards; says surveillance, hygienic slaughterhouses and housing that segregates animals and humans in China will not be cure-all, but is good place to start; drawing (M) Even though we lack an effective treatment or a vaccine, and even though the death rate remains high, the SARS crisis seems to be stabilizing; and with that news, there is the temptation to move on, to focus on the next issue. This could be a huge mistake. We need to develop and put in effect a strategy that tries to prevent future SARS-like outbreaks now.

China was the source of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. During the last century it has been the source of new viruses and strains behind other pandemics. The Great Flu Pandemic -- which swept the world in 1918-19, killing 20 million to 40 million people -- most likely originated with an influenza virus in China. Both the 1957 Asian flu and the 1968 Hong Kong flu also originated in that region and caused mini-pandemics.



 

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