Scientists, researchers, and LGUs to draw defense
plan against emerging infectious diseases

By Jowi A. Carteciano
MediaCore, NRCP

The emergence of corona virus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS along with other viruses and bacteria causing death was definitely not the last epidemic in the 21st century.

The ominous prediction came from World Health Organization Director General Lee Jong-Wook in meeting of WHO regional committee for Southeast Asia in India's capital New Delhi Sept. 14 last year.

SARS virus claimed 1,312 lives and infected a total of 8,400 people mainly in Asia in 2003.  In the Philippines, two died and another two have been infected during the shaky period.

Meanwhile, another emergent virus claimed seven lives last January.   A six-year-old boy in Bangkok, Thailand and six adults in neighboring Vietnam died from the attack of virus causing avian influenza, better known as bird flu.

WHO medical researchers and experts in Geneva admitted that development of SARS vaccines will take time and will not be available should SARS epidemic strikes again.  The search for bird flu cure also suffered a set back because the virus already mutated into a stronger strain (it was recently reported to have infected swine).

Evolution, mutation, and emergence of stronger strains of disease causing microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, protozoa, rickettsiae, and even microscopic worms are traced to globalization and climate change, information from the National Research Council of the Philippines, Department of Science and Technology showed.

Globalization enhanced international trade of food products making emergent multi-resistance microorganisms to spread faster.  On the other hand, increased international travel and other human demographic relocations made people susceptible to deadly microbes' attacks that aids in transmission of infectious diseases. 

Climate changes that affect temperature, humidity, and precipitation are associated with upsurges in water-borne diseases such as hepatitis, dysentery, typhoid, and cholera.

“In the immediate term, we must be ready to manage a possible resurgence of the SARS virus and other emerging deadly strains of bacteria causing infectious diseases through control measures that work—public awareness and preparedness,” Jong-Wook advised

Along WHO's advisory, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed government agencies and local government units to lead implementation of an information drive on SARS and SARS-like viruses and bacteria to contain the possible spread of diseases.

A multi-sectoral response to threats of emerging infectious diseases will be implemented under the initiatives of NRCP scientists and researchers and the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.  Joining this campaign are medical experts and researchers from Department of Health, University of the Philippines' Department of Psychology, and officials of local government units.

Pampanga was chosen as initial site of the activity.  The province was hit by two recent outbreaks of gastroenteritis that downed 2,778 victims, 81 died in July. 

The activity entitled “Community Preparedness for Emerging and Emergent Diseases” will be held on October 25 at the Social Action Center of Pampanga in San Fernando City.  Teachers, researchers, social scientists, clinicians, public health and laboratory specialists, and community leaders are expected to participate in formulating disease outbreak prevention strategies for the 45 towns of Pampanga.