Since the latest research shows that the virus is much less
contagious during its incubation period than its outbreak period,
people should not panic about the transmission of Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (
SARS),
Yang Weizhong, expert from the Chinese Center for Disease
Prevention and Control, said Wednesday.
Given that the SARS virus has a relatively limited transmission
channel, only those who have had close contact with SARS patients
are vulnerable to the disease, Yang told a symposium on prevention
and treatment of SARS across the Taiwan Straits.
"I
am healthy despite the fact that I have been involved in SARS
issues since the beginning of this year. It is not necessary to
avoid all public events if you have taken some preventive
measures," said Yang with a smile.
Following the discovery of SARS in some schools, Guangdong province
took a series of effective preventive measures instead of
suspending classes, such as isolating SARS patients and taking
morning temperatures. These have resulted in a very low infection
rate in provincial schools.
The experience of Guangdong indicates that SARS patients should be
identified and quarantined as early as possible, and anyone coming
down with a fever should go to the doctor at once, Yang
stressed.
This is not only in the interest of the patients, but also in the
interest of society as a whole, Yang added.
With respect to preventive work in China's mainland, Yang said
that, in the regions where SARS was first reported, such as
Guangdong, people should continue to make efforts to curb the
spread of the epidemic. In regions in which the virus emerged
recently, people should identify and report SARS cases as early as
possible so as to ensure early treatment.
(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2003)