The "Epidemic Detection Plan," a new program for the prevention
and control of new infectious diseases, was launched in China
recently. The purpose of the program is to apply effective means
and technologies to rapidly screen, detect, identify, trace,
diagnose and treat new infectious diseases, while taking necessary
quarantine measures and sending out alarm at the same time.
The plan, jointly launched by the Ministry of Health and the
Health Section of the General Logistics Department of the People's
Liberation Army (PLA), involves such major research projects as
working out testing methods for new infectious diseases in China
and those may possibly be exported to the country; pathogen-testing
technologies for new infectious diseases; identifying and clinical
diagnosing system; early alarming and clinical technologies for
curing internal body organ dysfunction caused by infectious
diseases; and research on transmission area of new infectious
diseases in China.
According to sources from the Department of Rural and Social
Development of the Ministry of Science and Technology, China has
launched a key research project, New Infectious Disease Prevention
and Control Technology and Its Application, with an input of 60
million yuan (US$7.25 million). It is listed as one of the major
projects for China's 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-2005). The project
is based on the fact that new infectious diseases are threatening
the world; some have been rampant in China and others are possibly
spread to the country. How to prevent new infectious diseases has
become a serious issue drawing concern from the global health and
medicine circles.
Jiang Suchun, an epidemic expert and professor with the No. 302
PLA Hospital, explained that "new infectious diseases" are referred
to those that either attacked the country in the past two or three
decades, or have been brought into China recently, as well as those
that have new variations. Some are newly found and others have
pathogenic variations, such as flu.
This disease detection plan shows the cooperation between
military and civilian professionals. It will help discern diseases
timely and accurately, ascertaining the transmission channels and
means and setting a timely alarm.
(China.org.cn by Guo Xiaohong January 19, 2004)