ood. With today's extensive global transport of people and goods by air and sea, a virus can spread widely before anyone notices.
Second, SARS, like pandemic influenza, HIV and other deadly viruses, seems to originate in animals, and then for mysterious reasons mutates and jumps to humans. Therefore, we need to focus more research on animal infections and on the surveillance of novel epidemics among animals.
Third, certain public health interventions work and others don't. SARS taught us about the damage that can be done by trying to hide information. For months, China hid its outbreak of pneumonia. Earlier action might have avoided the global outbreak of SARS. The outbreak also emphasized the need to strengthen early warning systems for tracing the spread of viruses, and the apparent effectiveness of "old-fashioned" disease control measures, such as isolation and quarantine.
Most important, SARS reminded us of the need for global cooperation on health and research. Globalization means the health of other countries affects us. Improving the infrastructure of housing, health care and public health in developing countries is going to be key to combating emerging infections. If we are not moved by the suffering of the world's poor to help, then at least self-interest should motivate us to improve their living conditions and health care, otherwise we risk dying of their infections.
This winter we will need vigilance until we are sure that SARS or some other deadly respiratory virus will not return with the cold weather. Public health officials and hospitals worldwide will have to be on their toes to detect new viruses among a sea of "flulike" illnessesIf we succumb to the urge to move on and ignore the lessons of SARS, we will increase the risks and harms of the next great pandemic.