Table 3.

Lessons Learned from the SARS Outbreak

Lesson	Means
The capacity of global alerts to improve awareness and viligance	Wide support by responsible press and amplified by electronic communications
The advantage of quick detection and reporting	Immediate reporting of initial cases by South Africa and India
The successful containment that can be achieved by readying health services with preparedness plans and compaigns to guard against imported cases	Climate of high alert that was established after reports of the disease became known
The value of immediate political commitment at the highest level	The experience in Vietnam, where the government took immediate measures to protect its people
The ability of even developing countries to triumph over a disease when reporting is prompt and open and when rapid case detection, immediate isolation and infection control, and vigorous contact tracing are put in place.	The appeal by Vietnam, where WHO assistance was requested quickly and fully supported