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The Guardian: The vanished virus -- Sars could still be lurking to return
Leader In Asia, Sars has delivered a salutary lesson in more than one way. In China, the cover-up (at
the cost of many unnecessary deaths) has prompted serious discussion about the need for greater
government openness, and has exposed the inadequacy of public health services that had been left
behind in the economic reforms. Throughout the Asian region, health authorities now acknowledge the
need for better cooperation over emergencies. And, as with the 1998 financial crisis, Sars
highlighted the vulnerability of Asian economies to unexpected shock. Estimates that the crisis
might cost $10-30bn now seem excessive, but a return of the virus this autumn just as confidence is
being revived would be devastating. The Sars outbreak has sometimes been presented as an exotic oriental tale. The British attitude
seemed to be that it could not happen here. Air passengers from east Asia joined the Heathrow
throngs without any scrutiny. No special preparations were made for the rigorous barrier nursing
which an outbreak would require. Sars may be a relatively minor threat to international health compared with chronic diseases
which kill millions of the young and vulnerable every year. Yet it has highlighted several growing
risks in our more crowded globe. One is the danger of "species crossover" which
intensifies as the environment comes under greater pressure. Another is the strain put upon even
sophisticated medical resources when an exceptional demand is made. Deadly viruses no longer
disseminate slowly by land or sea, but overnight by air: health officers everywhere should reflect
deeply. http://www.guardian.co.uk/leaders/story/0,3604,1020654,00.html Posting date: 8/21/2003
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