*EPF508 04/04/2003
Text: U.S., China Pledge Collaboration in Respiratory Illness Investigation
(U.S. health secretary calls SARS a "top priority") (740)

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and Chinese Minister of Health Zhang Wenkang conferred April 4 about how the two nations can collaborate in investigating an outbreak of a previously unknown respiratory illness, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

In an HHS press release, Thompson said Zhang was "very cooperative" in discussion of an inquiry that the U.S. health secretary identifies as a top priority for his department. In a global account of the outbreak updated by the World Health Organization (WHO) April 4, China reported 1220 cases of SARS on the mainland, more than any other nation. Another 761 cases have been identified in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. WHO tallies 2353 total cases worldwide in that April 4 report.

"It is important that we be as open and collaborative as possible in finding solutions to this difficult problem," Thompson said in the press release. "By working closely together, scientists and public health experts throughout the world will be in a stronger position to resolve this global outbreak."

HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has joined WHO and other researchers and laboratories around the world to identify the cause and nature of the disease which has caused 83 deaths so far. Health officials say the collaboration demonstrates an unprecedented level of international cooperation.

Following is the HHS text:

(begin text)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
April 4, 2003

SECRETARY THOMPSON, CHINESE HEALTH MINISTER VOW TO COOPERATE ON SARS

Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said the minister of health of the People's Republic of China agreed today to increase cooperation with the United States and global health officials to combat and learn more about the spread and origin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

In a 45-minute telephone conversation with Health Minister Zhang Wenkang, M.D., Secretary Thompson said the United States and HHS are "truly committed to this being a collaborative effort with China."

"The minister of health was very cooperative," Secretary Thompson said. "We're going to continue talking, and he wants to do more with the Department of Health and Human Services. It is important that we be as open and collaborative as possible in finding solutions to this difficult problem. By working closely together, scientists and public health experts throughout the world will be in a stronger position to resolve this global outbreak."

Southern China is where the largest number of cases have been reported and is believed to be the origin of SARS, a contagious respiratory illness that has recently been reported in Asia, North America and Europe. Symptoms include coughing, fever and shortness of breath. Worldwide, more than 2,300 cases and 84 deaths have been reported, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Cases of SARS have been reported primarily among people who have had direct close contact with an infected person, such as those who live with a SARS patient and health care workers.

HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working closely with WHO and other partners as part of a global collaboration to address the SARS outbreak. For its part in this international effort, CDC has committed more than 160 infectious disease experts and support staff to work on the SARS response; deployed medical officers, epidemiologists, and other specialists around the world, including China; provided ongoing assistance to state and local health departments in investigating possible cases of SARS in the United States; and conducted extensive laboratory testing of clinical specimens from SARS patients to identify the cause of the disease.

Minister Zhang told Secretary Thompson that he was pleased that U.S. officials are so concerned about SARS. According to the minister, the epidemic peaked in China in late February and the Chinese government is working for "total control and effective management of this disease." The Chinese government also has urged its citizens to work to prevent the spread of SARS, the minister said.

"Our work on the SARS outbreak is one of the department's top priorities," Secretary Thompson said. "We will continue to work diligently at home and abroad to provide the public with the medical protection they need to combat this disease. I welcome Minister Zhang's pledged cooperation and look forward to working with his country to learn more about SARS."

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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