Military

U.S., China to Increase Collaboration on Infectious Diseases

(Thompson says SARS shows need for global network to handle outbreaks) (520)
Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tommy Thompson announced
May 6 an agreement with China's Vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi
to increase collaboration between the two nations to detect and manage
infectious diseases, according to a news release from the HHS.
The agreement will see more HHS personnel being stationed in China as
a result of the outbreak of the SARS epidemic in China.
"The SARS epidemic has made clear that every serious infectious
disease today is a potential issue of global importance," Thompson
said.
Thompson called for a "strong global network to quickly identify and
manage disease outbreaks."
He added, "I am encouraged by Vice Premier Wu's desire for new
collaboration, and for her country's increasing openness to the global
health community."
Following is the text of the May 6 HHS news release:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
News Release
Tuesday, May 6, 2003
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
U.S., CHINA DEVELOP PLAN FOR IMPROVED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE
HHS Secretary Thompson Discusses Proposal with Chinese Vice Premier Wu
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced agreement with Chinese
Vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi to increase collaboration with
China toward improved detection and management of infectious diseases.
The agreement stems from President Bush's pledge to Chinese President
Hu Jintao to provide resources necessary to help stem the SARS
epidemic in China.
In a phone call, Vice Premier Wu and Secretary Thompson agreed to
proceed with planning for expanded collaborative efforts in
epidemiological training and development of greater laboratory
capacity in China. The new efforts, which would expand the number of
HHS personnel working in China, were spurred by the current SARS
epidemic, but would be important for all other infectious diseases,
especially newly emerging infectious diseases, Secretary Thompson
said.
"The SARS epidemic has made clear that every serious infectious
disease today is a potential issue of global importance," he said. "We
need a strong global network to quickly identify and manage disease
outbreaks, and this network will depend on the strength of each
nation's epidemiological capacity, as well as on cooperation between
nations. I am encouraged by Vice Premier Wu's desire for new
collaboration, and for her country's increasing openness to the global
health community."
Secretary Thompson said his department will develop a plan with
Chinese officials this month for increased technical assistance,
including training, lab capacity and improved health information
technology. In the call, he emphasized the importance of rapid sharing
among nations of human and animal biomedical specimens needed to
understand new disease outbreaks.
His call followed a conversation on April 27 in which President Bush
told Chinese President Hu that the United States stood ready to
provide short and long-term assistance to China in public health and
control of infectious diseases.
Secretary Thompson also spoke by phone this morning with Hong Kong
Health Secretary Yeoh Eng-kiong and offered congratulations on
apparent progress against SARS in Hong Kong.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)