SARS Epidemic Increases Personal Hygiene Awareness

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 28, 2003

SARS Epidemic Increases Personal Hygiene Awareness

In the fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Chinese people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of good personal hygiene.

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In the fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Chinese people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of good personal hygiene.

Good personal hygiene is the most effective way to prevent SARS, said Wu Shanming, head of the experts team for SARS control in Shanghai.

The frequent and thorough washing of hands, though simple, is extremely important in preventing the spread of SARS, Wu stressed, saying people should remember to wash hands especially before eating and touching the face, given that the SARS virus has been widely disseminated by hand-to-hand contact.

When sneezing or coughing, people should first cover their noses and mouths with a handkerchief or paper and then wash their hands, Wu added.

These minor aspects of behavior have never been considered very important, however, now they must be given special attention.

Wu also advised that people should keep their living rooms and offices well ventilated, as this is also an effective method for cutting off channels of infection.

Shanghai, China's most populous city, has modified local laws and institutions in order to impose more severe penalties for unsanitary behavior.

For example, spitting, throwing cigarette stubs or fruit peels in public areas, and dumping garbage and sewage in the wrong places will be subject to a fine of 200 yuan (about 24 US dollars), compared to 50 yuan prior to the SARS outbreak.

In the streets of Beijing, residents hurry through the streets wearing gauze masks, oblivious to their surroundings.

In subway trains and buses, one can smell disinfectants.

People are opening windows more often than before so as to ensure good indoor ventilation.

"Change clothes and wash hands more often, do more physical exercises and organize fewer gatherings" are commonly-heard pieces of advice exchanged between relatives and friends.

Gao Qiang, a doctor with the clinic of the Beijing No.25 Middle School, told Xinhua that the school has disinfected all its indoors facilities and installed additional water taps for students to wash hands.

To check the spread of SARS, the China Cuisine Association (CCA) has urged all restaurants in the country to serve food to clients on separate plates rather than having clients eating from a common dish, which could lead to infection.

The safety of consuming meat from wild animals has also been questioned. A delegate of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) from Hong Kong has written to Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, proposing a draft law prohibiting the consumption of wild animals.

Mao Jiangsen, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been studying viruses for almost 40 years and developed China's first vaccine for hepatitis A in 1991.

He warned that viruses in the bodies of wild animals, some of which are fatal to humans, may infect people who consume them.

The viruses which cause Yellow Fever, Ebola and Aids were all initially transmitted among apes and monkeys before being transmitted to humans, Mao said.

The Yellow Fever, a serious epidemic that first broke out in West Africa, caused massive fatalities among the workers digging the Panama Canal in Central America.

Mao suggested that the poaching, transport and processing of wild animals for consumption in restaurants should be terminated.

In Shanghai's Jinmao Building, Asia's tallest building, sanitation workers disinfect elevators, toilets and corridors every two hours to prevent potential SARS infection.

In addition, Shanghai has come up with a series of specific methods and rules for the disinfection of certain articles, such as elevator buttons, water taps and toilets.

Wu Yi, Chinese vice-premier and director of the National Committee for the Patriotic Public Health Campaign, was appointed on April 26 to serve concurrently as Minister of Health, replacing Zhang Wenkang.

She has appealed to all localities, departments and organizations across the country to create an effective public network for SARS prevention and treatment.

She noted that the public health campaign is an efficient way for the general public to improve the environment, combat disease and fight unsanitary conditions.

In addition, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture has issued a notification urging all local officials to direct farmers to develop healthy living habits to prevent the spread of SARS in rural areas.

Zhou, 48, an engineer in Guangzhou, was hospitalized immediately after being diagnosed with the SARS virus. She has now recovered after less than one month's treatment.

"The frequent washing of hands and avoidance of crowded areas can largely prevent infection," Zhou said.

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