The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic of 2003 sounded a wakeup call for business and political leaders everywhere. This relatively brief experience with a previously unknown pathogen reminded us that rapidly spreading, lethal respiratory infections are both terrifying and cause substantial economic damage. Although there were only 8000 or so known cases, with about a 10% mortality, the global cost was estimated at between 20 and 40 billion US dollars. We were fortunate that the causative agent was identified quickly and that the epidemic was soon contained. Particularly important was the well established World Health Organization influenza program, which, with its collaborating network of national laboratories, provided the technological and organisational base. SARS illustrated very clearly how the application of contemporary science in the context of open international cooperation serves to protect humanity.
Peter C Doherty
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
- Peter C Doherty