The World Health Organization (WHO)on Saturday issued a call for
vigilance against possible return of the severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS), warning diseases like SARS remaining a threat to
China and the rest of the world.
He also spoke highly of the efforts Chinese government and
people have made in the struggle against SARS. "Once again I would
like to thank and congratulate the Chinese government and the Party
for their achievements in fighting against SARS," he said.
Addressing a gathering marking the discharge of the Beijing's
last SARS patients and recovery of normal medical work in Beijing
Ditan Hospital, Henk Bekedam, WHO representative in China, said the
world must not drop guard for even one moment against diseases like
SARS.
The hospital was designated as one of special hospitals for SARS
patients during this summer's fight against the fatal virus.
"With the release of the last SARS patients in China, a very
important chapter of the global fight against infectious diseases
has been closed", he said. But "the fight against SARS is not yet
over. We must remain vigilant as we do not know for certain whether
SARS will return again".
He went on to say that the organization does not know what SARS
or any new infectious diseases might have in store for us in the
coming months and years.
"We can only be sure that more threats like SARS will come
sometime in the future," he stressed.
The world still have very few scientific weapons to use in our
fight against SARS, and there has been no scientific breakthrough,
no medical miracle, which will make the world safe from SARS, said
Bekedam.
The official said the world must continue to rush forward to
prepare for the future.
(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2003)