AS CONCERN grows over the continuing spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, the key question is whether the disease can be contained. The answer will depend on how the virus spreads and evolves, which is still uncertain, and on whether healthcare systems, particularly in developing countries, can spot SARS and respond effectively.
So far, more than 1900 people in 22 countries have contracted SARS, of whom 63 have died. While China, Hong Kong and Singapore are hardest hit, some experts fear that poor public health monitoring in some countries may mean the number of cases is actually much…
