Week of April 4, 2003The U.S. and China This Week
INTERNATIONAL: WHO Sends Specialists to GuangdongThe World Health Organizataion (WHO) has sent specialists to the region in Guangdong, a province in southern China, suspected to be the origin of the Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the disease that has infected numerous people throughout the world. According to the WHO, researchers are there to determine living conditions and common factors linking those that were initially infected. This announcement accompanied further disclosure that the Chinese government's count of those infected was greater than in previous reports. Although, officials from the Chinese Ministry of Health have reiterated that they have cooperated fully with health officials in Hong Kong and with the WHO. SARS has been reported to have killed over 80 people and effected approximately 2, 200. The World Health Organization, for the first time in its 55 year history, has cautioned against travel to a region because of disease, warning against travel to both Hong Kong and mainland China because of SARS.
INTERNATIONAL: U.S. State Department Allows for Personnel Withdrawal from ChinaThe U.S. State Department has allowed for the withdrawal of all nonessential personnel from China. According to the State Department, the American government will pay for all nonessential personnel and their families to leave posts throughout China. Prior to this announcement, only personnel in Hong Kong and Guangdong were given permission to leave their posts. This announcement is in response to growing concern over the spread of Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which has infected thousands around the world and is suspected to have originated in China. According to Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage,
the State Department is also considering the evacuation of personnel
from other countries with a large number of SARS cases. Both Singapore
and Vietnam have seen a large number of such outbreaks.
Last updated: 17 January 2001 |
