SARS: A costly error

Globe & Mail ^ | 2003-05-31 | Staff

[jacquej]

Isn't this a wonderful resource for learning?

So many talented and knowledgeable people here make the old adage "many heads are better than one" rule over "too many cooks spoil the broth"!!!!

One thing I have learned over the years here on FR is that people have different ideas about what consitutes "civilized" discussion. You and I certainly do.

I prefer to avoid getting into a debate with you about which of us is right and which is wrong about Canada vs. the US...

It isn't a matter of levels of comprehension. I was offended by your comments on Canada. (I am not Canadian.)

That is the reason I disincline to engage in a back and forth. Re-read your posts #6, 13, and 18. I do not consider them conducive to a civivlized discussion.

I believe there are several areas in the United States where there is the potential for Sars outbreaks if not "possible SARS outbreaks". It would be unwise and irresponsible for me to name these.

Given the examples of the comments made by public health officials in Wheeling WV and Arkansas, it is very hard, if not impossible, for the public to figure out what is going on regards SARS in their areas.

Time will tell, however, and I hope it will be contained, and that Canada's unfortunate experience will save us here in the states from a similar mess. I am not optimistic yet, however.

We have to be ever so careful with our adjectives these days, don't we!!!

[vetvetdoug]

The statement that you alluded to was in the article, Feds Race to Make SARS Vaccine, that was posted a couple of days ago. That statement was incorrect, out of context, and without substantiation. My thoughts were Post #6. Most vaccines used in any human and animal will cause the disease to be worse if that human or animal is infected with the disease already. The FIPV Vaccine has undergone extensive testing and has been in use for several years already with success, even in catteries that have active FIPV virus. The situation is just like the first years when GRIDS showed up, a veterinarian suggested the aetiology and solution and was ignored for a couple of years and was later to be correct on all assumptions, SARS is going to have to be controlled by draconian isolation procedures or a unusually intensive vaccination programme. We are seeing the window of opportunity for the first measure to fail by the mishandling of the disease by the Canadian Health Officials. Singapore has the right idea; China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Canada have screwed the pooch.

[jacquej]

Do you think the Singapore model would work in the US? Wouldn't the differences in our cultures make it difficult to implement the Singapore model here?

[vetvetdoug]

Wouldn't the differences in our cultures make it difficult to implement the Singapore model here?

It really has more to do with the correct and acknowledged methods for the containment of an infectious disease in populations. These standards were put forward from as early as Aristotle and later by epidemiologists of the late 1800 and early 1900's. Dr. Salmon, an epidemiologist and veterinarian, that directed the Bureau of Animal Industries and was recognized in the successful eradication of the cattle tick fever and a multitude of diseases that were of animal origin and zoonotic. Any deviation of the methods that were tried and found effective a 100 years ago will result in failure today. That is why political correctness will be the amplifier for SARS just as it has been for AIDS.