SARS: A Warning
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Abstract:
The recent outbreaks of SARS and monkeypox have demonstrated severe weaknesses in the global public health infrastructure that are in urgent need of attention. If these limitations are not addressed, the intentional use of infectious disease as a weapon will be devastating. The international community must learn from the experience of natural outbreaks to improve early detection and response to emerging disease on a global basis. Minimising the impact of disease, of natural or deliberate origin, will save countless lives as well serve as a deterrent to future bio-terrorist acts. Much as a vaccine is designed to prime the immune system against a future microbial threat, these natural disease outbreaks should raise awareness of the need for enhanced and more comprehensive global public health surveillance and response.Document Type: Original article
Affiliations: 1: Elizabeth M. Prescott is a Research Fellow with IISS-US working on projects involving the application of the life sciences to security issues.
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