[_Jim]

I don't see how it can be contained to just China, either.

Judging from the *low* rates of infection here - I'd say the truly civilized, industrialized cities where sanitary practices actually exist stand a far better chance.

Reading the history of a cholera epidemic starting in New York in about 1832/1833 (as originally brought over from the Europe) gives some insight ...

[EternalHope]

Judging from the *low* rates of infection here - I'd say the truly civilized, industrialized cities where sanitary practices actually exist stand a far better chance.

Singapore and Toronto both have excellent sanitary practices. If it can be contained in these two cities, then I would say western nations have an excellent shot at containment as long as the number of new incoming cases is kept low.

The problem comes when/if SARS breaks out in the slums of the world's mega cities. We have one next door: Mexico City. If the medical system in Mexico City is overwhelmed, what happens next?

[riri]

I have a question. We have people all over the country with TB. TB is a highly infectous bacteria that is spread through coughing, sneezing, etc. Yet we don't see exponential case numbers of TB?

Is this just more contagious than TB? Why do healthcare workers not contract TB they way they are this virus? I'd be interested in your view comparing the two situations.