Cool caution over SARS Hua Hua Updated: 2004-01-07 07:28
Monday's confirmation of China's first case of SARS (severe acute respiratory
syndrome) since June has not triggered any public panic.
Tests confirmed
a 32-year-old television producer in South China's Guangdong Province has SARS.
The public calm can be attributed to proper handling of the case. This
included early detection, consequent emergent measures, and most importantly,
full and timely disclosure of all pertinent information.
Ever since
December 27 when the man was diagnosed with symptoms of the virus and officially
declared a "suspected'' case, the emergency system was on full
alert.
With no delay, the local disease control department reported the
case to the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Those with
contacts with the man were put under quarantine. Any new development about the
case was passed to the public in a timely fashion.
All these demonstrated
a highly sensible surveillance system. Under the protective umbrella of such an
efficient emergency system, people have reason to feel safe.
The active
co-operation and efforts by Chinese medical workers also won acclaims from WHO.
The world medical organization announced that so far there is no evidence of an
epidemic and China is still a safe place to travel. It is unnecessary for the
country to adjust the travel scheme for Spring Festival, which falls on January
22.
The initial success in curbing the spread of the deadly virus is
praiseworthy, but it doesn't mean the ripple stirred by the SARS case is over.
It has merely sounded the latest warning bell that there are still many
mysteries to the virus and the threat is still here, even if it is not
imminent.
Medical departments nationwide must maintain tightened alert
against a spread of SARS. In a sense, the challenges ahead are even tougher with
the forthcoming peak season for the Spring Festival travel.
Today the
cause of SARS remains a question mark despite the tireless efforts and progress
made by scientists at home and abroad.
Though the latest finding
pinpoints masked palm civets as a source of the virus, it is still too early to
claim that humans contract the virus directly and exclusively from the
animal.
Any small error in prevention may lead to disastrous consequence
during the forthcoming heavy flow of population.
Though it is groundless
to issue a travel warning, it is necessary for all relevant departments to work
out emergency plans and take precautionary measures.
Guangzhou has set a
good example. In case of a SARS epidemic, the boarding time for trains will be
made two hours earlier, and all passengers are required to take a temperature
check, according to the city's emergency scheme.
The rest of the country
would do well to follow that example.
(China Daily )
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