WHO Representative Praises Beijing's SARS Work

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, May 31, 2003

WHO Representative Praises Beijing's SARS Work

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in China Henk Bekedam on Friday praised the prevention and control work on SARS carried out by the Beijing municipal government.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in China Henk Bekedam on Friday praised the prevention and control work on SARS carried out by the Beijing municipal government.

Bekedam said Beijing was a good example of how co-operation between the United Nations specialist agency and local government ought to be conducted.

"The figures are clearly going down, and it proves that the measures by the government are successful,'' Bekedam told reporters on Friday.

The number of new SARS cases in Beijing every day has now dropped to one digit from over 100 in late April. That figure was six, with five from suspected cases in the 24 hours as of 10 am on Friday.

Bekedam highlighted the danger of further outbreaks occurring if rapid diagnosis and isolation measures are not taken by the relevant authorities.

"For example, in Canada, only one patient is misdiagnosed, and there are again 30 more patients in very short time,'' he said.

"At the same time, I do believe Beijing is prepared... Beijing now knows what to do with SARS,'' Bekedam said, adding: "I should congratulate the Beijing authorities for that.''

Referring to earlier criticisms of the handling of the disease outbreak, Bekedam said: "Although the co-operation had a very difficult start in April, we highly appreciate the Beijing authorities as they are open and clear-minded, as well as working hard.'' Bekedam said he has beenimpressed with Beijing's responsible and active response in combating the disease.

"I have had some discussions with the Beijing authorities about some technical issues like classifying patients and the discussion is still going on,'' he told reporters.

Bekedam said it was most important for the location of new cases to be properly identified in order to allay public fears.

Experts from Shenzhen and Hong Kong last week announced the finding of a SARS-like coronavirus in masked palm civets, a raccoon-like mammal, as a possible precursor to the human SARS coronavirus.

When asked by China Daily to comment on that finding, Bekedam said: "If we found it is in the civet, I think it is fine.

"But what is more important is that we need to do research over afar more broader range of animals,'' he said.

He further illustrated that the research should be conducted not only in China, butin conjunctionwith the UN.

"Thus when the result comes up, everyone will accept it,'' he said.

During Friday's interview, Bekedam also said it would require some time for the WHO to lift its travel advisory warning in respect of Beijing.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Beijing Reports Zero New Hospitalized SARS Patients

Single-digit New SARS Cases for 4 Straight Days on Chinese Mainland

>> Full Coverage

Chinese Crack Down on Public Spitting ( 2 Messages)

United States Afraid of its Own Shadow: Mahathir ( 8 Messages)

Int'l Community Aids China's SARS-control ( 6 Messages)

BBC Leader Criticizes US Coverage of War against Iraq ( 17 Messages)

US Interference in China's Internal Affairs Doomed to Failure: FM Spokeswoman ( 7 Messages)