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By Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 10 December 2006 2238 hrs
SINGAPORE: Hundreds of scientists are meeting in Singapore to discuss how to tackle major diseases such as the avian flu and SARS.
The conference is examining how the diseases spread from animals to humans.
SARS - or severe acute respiratory syndrome - hit Singapore and various countries badly three years ago.
The disease affected the everyday lives of Singaporeans.
So finding a prevention is paramount.
But scientists are all too aware that the disease is only one in a long line that has ravaged mankind this century.
Another possible outbreak is that of the virus H5N1 which causes avian flu.
The virus is forcing a huge international effort to prepare for a possible global outbreak.
So scientists are being called upon urgently as the first line of defence.
Singapore's Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said: "We need all of you to help us keep track of viruses, especially when they threaten to mutate into more virulent strains. We need to be alerted early. We need better test kits. We need better anti-viral treatment. We need vaccines. We need them fast."
But rhetoric highlighting the possible threat may not be enough.
The conference recognises action is needed.
And by sharing information, the scientists hope they can find a way of tackling such major modern day diseases. - CNA/ir
.
By Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 10 December 2006 2238 hrs
SINGAPORE: Hundreds of scientists are meeting in Singapore to discuss how to tackle major diseases such as the avian flu and SARS.
The conference is examining how the diseases spread from animals to humans.
SARS - or severe acute respiratory syndrome - hit Singapore and various countries badly three years ago.
The disease affected the everyday lives of Singaporeans.
So finding a prevention is paramount.
But scientists are all too aware that the disease is only one in a long line that has ravaged mankind this century.
Another possible outbreak is that of the virus H5N1 which causes avian flu.
The virus is forcing a huge international effort to prepare for a possible global outbreak.
So scientists are being called upon urgently as the first line of defence.
Singapore's Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said: "We need all of you to help us keep track of viruses, especially when they threaten to mutate into more virulent strains. We need to be alerted early. We need better test kits. We need better anti-viral treatment. We need vaccines. We need them fast."
But rhetoric highlighting the possible threat may not be enough.
The conference recognises action is needed.
And by sharing information, the scientists hope they can find a way of tackling such major modern day diseases. - CNA/ir
.
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