The SARS outbreak that came to light in early 2003 underscored the point that a disease in one country can affect another; indeed, it can affect the entire world. The outbreak required China's government to step up its response to the SARS outbreak and help bring the situation under control with support from the World Health Organization (WHO). By the summer of 2003, the outbreak was officially declared over.
The lessons of SARS have not been wasted. The experience has helped shape how China, and other WHO Member Nations across the globe, handle emerging infectious diseases. It has also had a significant, positive long-term impact on the partnership between China and WHO — an important development in light of the challenges posed by avian influenza in recent years.
About 75 percent of all emerging infectious diseases stem from animals — SARS and avian influenza are just two cases in point. As such, the human-animal interface and its public health implications are key areas of focus for WHO China's Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response team. This team is an integral part of WHO China, one that is often in the public spotlight for obvious reasons. Emerging communicable infections are urgent, important public health issues for the government, its health partners (including WHO), the international community and the media. That was clearly seen during SARS and in outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in animals and humans.
The work of this surveillance and response team goes beyond SARS and avian influenza, of course. From rabies to streptococcus suis in humans, from bubonic and pneumonic plague to seasonal influenza — WHO China's CSR team offers its support to the Ministry of Health in a variety of ways.