SARS city. Canadian authorities are warning travelers to Toronto airport.
China has shown the world how not to face a life-threatening epidemic by initially refusing to acknowledge the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS). Now the World Health Organization (WHO) hopes such unwise behavior will help him win changes in a 52-year international treaty to control global health threats. The revision, in the works for 8 years, is the agenda of the May 19 meeting of the World Health Assembly.
countries have a natural reluctance to report health events that could be bad for business. Thus, in 1951, the WHO members agreed to report cases of three historically important diseases: plague, cholera and yellow fever. The International Health Regulations also indicate that WHO can do to stem an epidemic, such as requiring the vaccination and disinfection and disinfestation of ships and aircraft. But experts agree that the public health regulations have become hopelessly outdated as a result of new diseases, the return of old diseases, and the increasing mobility of people and goods.
Under the new plan, governments would have to report any "public health emergency of international concern", even if the agent does not know. Every country needs to establish a minimum surveillance system and a "focal point" for communicating with WHO. The agency help investigate outbreaks and, if necessary, inform other countries. It could also recommend control measures.
WHO hopes that SARS will encourage countries to put new stricter guidelines in place by 05. "I think there will be a roll this year" at the meeting, said David Heymann, WHO executive director for communicable diseases. "Everyone now understands the importance."
WHO officials recognize that the Treaty is still based on voluntary compliance. But they hope that SARS has taught everyone a lesson. Says public health specialist Stephen Morse of Columbia University in New York, "the basic application mechanism :. Do unto others as you would have them do to you "
Related Sites
The revised International Health Regulations
The World Health Assembly
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