Leading SARS expert Zhong Nanshan predicts that in about two
weeks' time, China will know whether or not there will be another
large-scale SARS outbreak this year.
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Zhong Nanshan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who is attending
the ongoing session of the country's top advisory body, told
reporters that the SARS situation is not serious now, but he is not
sure at the moment whether it will worsen with the arrival of
spring.
"Until now, SARS has not been prevalent. We are confident in our
prevention work. But I cannot say that it won't spread. Judging
from last year, the situation in Guangdong was the most severe in
February and became better in mid-March. I think after two weeks we
will be able to tell whether it will spread widely or not."
But he is optimistic that the disease can be better contained as
more people are now very alert, and the infection channel from wild
animals to humans has been drastically reduced. The virus is also
probably weaker now because of variation.
Zhong Nanshan also said he will submit an urgent proposal to
give SARS a precise Chinese name so that people will have a correct
understanding of this disease.
So far this year, China has reported four SARS cases, and all
the patients have recovered. Last year, more than 5,000 people were
infected with the disease and over 300 died.
(CRI March 5, 2004)