7. New and emerging diseases
The rapid deployment of surveillance and monitoring systems was highlighted as a key recommendation for tackling emerging diseases in the CMO's report Getting Ahead of the Curve - A Strategy for Infectious Diseases.
Published in January 2002, the report stated that "To successfully combat the threat posed by new and emerging infectious diseases, the key is a strong surveillance system underpinned by good clinical reporting"
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In response to this recommendation, on 2nd April 2003, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) was formally established to research and organise planning for biological, chemical and health emergencies.
The HPA's surveillance system has recently proved effective against the challenge posed by SARS.
SARS outbreak
In November 2002 an outbreak of an unusual form of pneumonia occurred in Guangdong Province in Southern China. In retrospect it is clear that the patients were suffering the symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS. Symptoms of SARS include high fever, dry cough, and breathing difficulties. The disease can be fatal in some cases depending on age and other diseases present in the patient.
At present SARS is still largely contained within East and South-East Asia and poses only a low risk in this country. The Government is however taking the situation extremely seriously.
High quality surveillance systems have been put in place by a dedicated team at the Health Protection Agency's Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre. A rapid reporting system for suspected cases of SARS was also established by the Agency.
By the end of May 2003, four probable cases of SARS had been reported in the UK. All cases have recovered and there is no evidence of any local transmission of the disease.
The CMO strongly advises against travel to areas of the world where cases of SARS are still occurring.
SARS links
The very latest information and travel advice concerning SARS can be found on the WHO website. Further information is also available from the Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency.
National Expert Panel on New and Emerging Infections
The Chief Medical Officer's Infectious Disease Strategy - "Getting Ahead of the Curve"
proposed the establishment of a National Expert Panel to assess the threat from new and emerging infectious diseases. It was envisaged that this would be an over-arching horizon scanning panel, reporting to the Chief Medical Officer and advising the Department of Health.
The first meeting of the National Expert Panel on New and Emerging Infections was held on 25 November.
