Lessons learned from international responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) |
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Authors: | Hitoshi Oshitani |
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Institution: | (1) Regional SARS Outbreak Response and Preparedness Team, World Health Organization, Western Pacific Regional Office, PO Box 2932, 1000 Manila, Philippines |
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Abstract: | In early February 2003, a previously unknown disease causing severe pneumonia was recognised. This disease which is now known
as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is believed to have had its origins in the Guangdong Province of China, and was
the cause of a multi-country epidemic resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO)
has been coordinating the international response to provide the epidemiological, laboratory, clinical and logistic requirements
needed to contain this disease.
A rapid spread of SARS around the world occurred at its onset, facilitated greatly by air travel. Between November 2002 and
July 2003, a total of 8,094 cases and 774 cases were reported from 26 countries worldwide.
WHO responded quickly to this multi-country outbreak and on 12 March released a “global alert” about SARS. This was followed
by the first WHO travel advisory on 15 March. The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network was activated, and international
experts were brought together to implement enhanced global surveillance systems for SARS.
The international community has learned a lot of lessons from the SARS outbreak. Particularly, rapid and transparent information
sharing between countries is critical to prevent international spread of the disease. However, information exchange was less
than optimal in the early phase of the outbreak. |
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Keywords: | SARS WHO global outbreak alert response network international health regulations |
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