The Hindu : WHO chief blames China for SARS spread

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 08, 2003

National

National

WHO chief blames China for SARS spread

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI April 7. The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Gro Harlem Brundtland, today criticised China for not being prompt in informing the international community when the first cases of SARS, the killer pneumonia-like infection, surfaced in Guangdong province in South China in November.

"China is now cooperating well with the WHO. But, it would have been more helpful if international experts and the WHO had been informed to contain the epidemic at an early stage."

Health experts have been critical of China saying the infection could have been prevented from spreading, if only the authorities there had not sought to push it under the carpet. Investigations have found that the infection, which has so far spread to nearly 20 countries, had its origin in Guangdong province.

Speaking to reporters here, she said the WHO was maintaining a close liaison with all countries to ensure that the infection was brought under control. Ms. Brundtland was here for the global launch of this year's World Health Day, which is being observed with the theme of "healthy environment for children".

She said that every year over five million children below the age of 14 were dying across the world because of various diseases directly related to the environment.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National