A list of members included in Beijing's SARS research network was decided on December 22. With the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Beijing CDC at its core, the network includes six other members, such as the Beijing Genome Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. And the Beijing 120 Emergency Center is designated to be in charge of the transportation of SARS samples. The Beijing SARS lab network is put under the direct leadership of the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau.

The formal establishment of the network indicates that once the epidemic of SARS returns, the case will be handled under emergency conditions. The Beijing CDC will assign various tasks to each of the network members in accordance with their advantageous conditions so that they can quickly and scientifically carry out related testing or research, with information resources shared by all the members. Meanwhile, in order to guarantee the safety of Beijing citizens, other labs in the Beijing area are no longer allowed to conduct any test and research concerning SARS.

SARS labs demand prompt integration

According to Jia Mingyan, director of the Science and Education Department of the Municipal Health Bureau, in the past, there were too many labs conducting SARS-related researches in Beijing, making the work out of control. A few unqualified labs which were not either prepared with the required testing reagents, nor provided with proper conditions, were also conducting SARS tests. It was not only a potential risk for the spread of SARS, but also led to unnecessary sufferings of the patients due to repeated blood drawing.

In order to maintain the safety of patients and researchers, as well as the biological safety, and to guarantee the quality of SARS tests and researches, Beijing has set up its SARS lab network by making full use of the resources -- that from the state, the local institutes and the military. Once SARS occurs, a professional and well-trained team will take samples according to testing requirements and the tests will be conducted by relative labs. The test taken out in an assigned lab will be compared with that of the central lab so as to guarantee the accuracy of the result.

Each network member has its own function

It is reported that the two central units, the National CDC and Beijing CDC, will take the responsibility of the network's quality surveillance. They will conduct analysis and check on every testing result taken by other member labs. Besides, they will also be responsible for collecting, registering and safekeeping SARS samples. Meanwhile, the member labs must follow the four principles: first, once emergency occurs they must be able to get into operation and give quick reaction; second, they must adhere to the principle of keeping secret -- there should be no publication of relative achievements, information, data and thesis without authorization; third, the share of internal resources within the network must be guaranteed, and any of their tests should be re-tested by other member labs so as to guarantee the accuracy; fourth, the SARS samples must be managed in a unified way to make sure that all samples are properly kept by the Beijing CDC and other member labs must report regularly to the central sample bank on the quantity and utilizing conditions of their samples.

Appropriate funds to support network construction

The construction of the Beijing SARS lab network will become part of the general plan of the municipal's public health system with appropriate allocation for each year. Once the epidemic prevails or some major emergency issues occur, more funds will be added according to specific situation. Director Jia said that the set-up of the Beijing SARS lab network is a test for the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau too. After the network was successfully put into operation, the member labs will be able to conduct researches beyond that for SARS under emergency conditions. The network will be capable in coping with unexpected event concerning public health, such as poisoning and biological terrorism.

(China.org.cn by Wang Qian December 29, 2003)