Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS): The International Response (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Sept. 8, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RL32072 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Rhoda Margesson and Tiaji Salaam, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a new highly infectious disease, was first identified
by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2003. While the overall number of confirmed
cases is not high by comparison with statistics for other infectious diseases, the distance and speed
with which SARS spread raised an alarm over the potential risks to international public health.
Containment appears to be working; however, there are fears that another SARS outbreak could take
place during the regular influenza season later in 2003.
The United States was instrumental in the global effort to contain the spread of SARS.
Affected countries responded in different ways. Singapore and Taiwan acted quickly and
encouraged international support in curbing the spread of the virus. China, on the other hand, has
been criticized for down-playing the magnitude of the problem, particularly in the early phase of the
disease. This, some analysts contend, ultimately enabled the virus to cross borders and in the case
of Canada, hemispheres.
This report takes a retrospective look at the global response by WHO and by those countries
most affected. It reveals some of the challenges that may lie ahead for the global health community,
such as global interdependence and transparency, surge capacity, management of public fear and
information disclosure, coordination of different national responses, and lack of funding. Examining
the impacts of SARS and lessons learned may be useful in the response to future outbreaks or
incidences of new diseases. This report will not be updated.
