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WHO ready for new health threats
GENEVA, Switzerland (CNN) -- The World Health Organization has announced new measures to respond to health threats in the wake of the global SARS outbreak. The resolution -- which includes plans for on-the-spot investigations, enhanced communications, and broader sources of reporting -- was agreed on at the annual meeting of the organization. "This is an extremely significant step for international public health," WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland said of the resolution. "SARS has shown us the size of the challenges we face. These new measures will help us respond even more effectively to the next public health threat," Brundtland said. As of Wednesday the WHO reported a total of 8,240 probable SARS cases with 745 deaths in 28 countries. SARS was first identified as a new disease in March. Canadian authorities have quarantined 1,700 students and staff from a suburban high school after a student showed symptoms of the disease. More than 5,000 people are under quarantine in Toronto, health officals say. Unlike isolation, which applies to those with SARS symptoms, quarantine is for people without symptoms who have come into contact with SARS sufferers. Dr. Colin D'Cunha, the Ontario commissioner of public health who announced the deaths and latest figures, said 50 more cases were under investigation and the number of probable or suspected cases will rise, The Associated Press reported. "Absolutely there will be more in the next few days," said Dr. James Young, the province's commissioner of public safety. BreakthroughIn Hong Kong meanwhile, researchers say they have begun developing a vaccine for SARS, after tests revealed identical strains of the virus in animals. Scientists say antibodies found in workers who handled exotic animals at a food market in South China supports their theory the SARS virus jumped from animals to humans. (Evidence supports animal theory) Most of the SARS cases have been reported in mainland China. Hong Kong on Thursday reported three SARS fatalities and two new cases. While SARS seems to be ebbing in many parts of Asia, Russia confirmed its first SARS case on Wednesday, a 25-year-old man who lives in a town bordering China. (First for Russia)
Taiwan reported 50 new probable cases of SARS Thursday, including 40 patients who were reclassified from suspect to probable infections, Reuters reported. No deaths were reported in Thursday in Taiwan, the third-hardest hit area in the world. The WHO says it is optimistic the situation will improve in coming days. The global health group says Taipei's anti-SARS measures, including information campaigns, are starting to bear fruit. The island's hospitals have been placed under enormous strain by the disease, and so far three top officials have quit over their handling of SARS. China has been reporting falling numbers of new cases, announcing its lowest rise of just three infections and two deaths on Thursday, though the WHO says it is too early to declare China's outbreak under control.
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