DOCSLIB.ORG

Preparing for the Next Flu Pandemic: from SARS to Avian Flu Zhong N

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Preparing for the Next Flu Pandemic: from SARS to Avian Flu Zhong N 2008 SMA Lecture Singapore Med J 2008; 49(8) : 595 Preparing for the next flu pandemic: from SARS to avian flu Zhong N There were three episodes of severe acute respiratory be killed on the farm or poultry market where an outbreak syndrome (SARS) (including one pandemic) in China is recognised, with all domestic fowl culled, and all close from 2003 to 2004. Starting from 2002, we are also aware contacts quarantined within an area of 3 km in diameter; of the increasing alert of an avian flu pandemic. Epidemics all illegal poultry markets should be banned. of SARS and avian flu have posed huge threats to social stability, economic prosperity and human health in this country. Our experience during the SARS outbreaks can PATHOGENESIS be of great advantage in protecting people against SARS Lung damage caused by SARS-CoV and avian flu is resurgence, and potential attacks of highly pathogenic characterised as diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), which avian influenza viruses. is different from neutrophil infiltration as found in classic pneumonia. In addition to DAD, SARS-CoV (avian flu ANIMAL SOURCE CONTAINMENT virus, in particular) infections are prone to cause multi - Despite arguments from genomic evolution analysis that organ dysfunction, which in turn leads to a high death SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was transmitted to small rate. Immunopathological injury of host cells triggered carnivores after the epidemic of SARS in humans,') it by the immune response to virus plays a key role in the has been clearly shown that the SARS-CoV-like virus in pathogenesis of virus infections. During the interactions bats jumped into some unknown mammal and changed among the virus, macrophages, monocytes and airway significantly before infecting the market civets, where epithelium, many cytokine/chemkines released from the viruses amplified in burden, mutated with genomic activated immune cells not only take part in the process deletions, and jumped into humans, based on the following of antiviral immune response, but are also involved in cell epidemiological study: (2) damage and development of organ dysfunction.i3-5i (1) The initial cases of SARS were chefs and animal In a study of the expression profiles of 14 cytokines/ handlers of wild game. chemokines in blood samples from SARS patients, Jiang (2) The SARS-CoV can only be found in the market et al had found that interferon -inducible protein -10 (IP-10) civets (26% of civets in Guangdong) and wild was markedly elevated during the early stages of SARS, horseshoe bats, but not in farmed or wild civets. and remained at a high level until convalescence. (6) Xu (3) The genetic mutation as demonstrated by the Ka/Ks et al found that interferon -gamma -induced monokine ratio is very high for the market civet virus and (Mig) was expressed in gliocytes in the brain mesenchyma human virus, which means that both are not natural of SARS patients. (7) IP -10 has been shown to be a potent reservoirs for the SARS-CoV. The bat SARS virus chemoattractant for activated T cells, natural killer is only 90% identical with the civet or human cells and monocytes after viral infection; elevated IP- SARS-CoV. 10 may attract these cells, leading to acute immune (4) The SARS-CoV in civets has a 29 -bp sequence that inflammation.(8'9) The IP-10 neutralising antibody can is not present in the human virus. effectively inhibit spike -protein -induced IP -10 activity, thereby attenuating damage of endothelial cells of the In this regard, wildlife marketing represents a umbilical cord (Yong XY, personal data, 2008). dangerous source of possible new infections among Similarly, H5Nlvirus-induced cytokine release Guangzhou Institute animals, which may undermine the prevention of cascade may contribute to disease severity.(10'11) In a of Respiratory Diseases, SARS. The same is true with avian flu. Currently, the study of 18 individuals infected with H5N1, de Jong et First Affiliated Chinese government has set up strict regulations against al found low peripheral blood T -lymphocyte counts and Hospital of Guangzhou Medical wildlife marketing, including bans on rearing, trading, high chemokine and cytokine levels (IP -10, Mig and College, transporting and slaughtering wild animals for dietary MCP -1 in particular) in H5N1-infected individuals, 151 Yanjiang Rd, Guangzhou 510120, purposes. Successful prevention of the second SARS particularly in those who died, which correlated with China event from escalating into another epidemic in China pharyngeal viral loads, suggesting that high viral load and Zhong N, FRCSE convincingly proved the pivotal role of governmental the resulting intense inflammatory responses were central Professor of Medicine policy in controlling the wildlife market. As illegal to influenza pathogenesis.°2 Efforts should be focused Correspondence to: wildlife marketing has not yet diminished completely not only on preventing such intense cytokine response Prof Nanshan Zhong Tel: (86) 20 8332 8322 in southern China, rigorous intervention will continue by early diagnosis and effective antiviral treatment, but Fax: (86) 20 8335 0363 to be in force. With regard to avian flu infection from also on modulating (or inhibiting) cell damage caused by Email: nanshan@ vip.163.com poultry to human beings, all chickens (or ducks) should a cytokine release cascade. Singapore Med J 2008; 49(8) : 596 Fever (flu -like symptoms) - A history of exposure to poultry (dead birds, wild birds, or pneumonia poultry marketing or slaughtering). Living in regions with avian flu epidemics. Travelled to sines with avian flu events within the past seven days. Working in a lab ).here studies on avian llu virus are Contact history i nvoh ed. IF NO y YES Empirical treatment with Empirical, treatment with antibiotics antibiotics and oseltamivir (75 mg Qid) 48 h Response to Rx. No response to Rx. Check respiratory secretions Continue treatment Continue treatment (nose and throat) for plus quarantine antigens and nucleic acids specific to avian flu virus Diagnosis excluded or confirmed Fig. I Algorithm for early diagnosis of avian influenza in China (2008). EARLY DETECTION of higher viral loads of influenza A (H5N1) in the Early identification of an index patient has been the key throat.' 12i Again, the detection of anti -H5 antibodies (2-3 to initiating preventive measures against the spreading of weeks after infection) is essential for epidemiological SARS. Since 2004, we have been setting up a monitoring investigations and may provide retrospective diagnostic system for patients with pneumonia. Those who presented confirmation in patients.' 16' Recently, an early diagnosis with fever, pneumonia and normal or low white cell flow chart (Fig. 1) has been set up in China, which will counts routinely receive serum RT-PCR and IgG testing be made available in all medium and large cities, and a of SARS-CoV.(13) During the 2002/2003 SARS outbreak, number of small cities.'17 In addition to monitoring a confirmed diagnosis of SARS was made based on body temperature using infrared acquisition, an earlier symptoms, contact history and a retrospectively positive screening of nasopharyngeal inflammation was developed SARS-CoV IgG testing (which was not clinically relevant using thermographic techniques (Yu MS, personal data), until 10-14 days after onset of symptoms). Early diagnosis which may be more useful to recognise individuals with of SARS using RT-PCR to detect viral RNA was available, early avian flu infection, as de Jong had mentioned that the but the sensitivity and specificity of this technique was avian flu virus was easier to detect in throat swabs than in 18' not promising. (14) Ho et al have reported on regular nasal swabs.' nasopharyngeal swab screening with nested RT-PCR analysis. 25 out of 217 (11.5%) well -protected healthcare RAPID INFORMATION NETWORK FOR SARS workers (HCWs) who had been exposed to SARS patients Since 2003, China has enforced her legislation on the showed viral colonisation without demonstration of SARS- surveillance, report and pre -warning system for infectious CoV specific antibodies. (14) This screening in conjunction diseases, mandating periodical release of epidemics and with a daily recording of body temperature in all first-line preparedness for possible public health emergencies. In HCWs may provide an effective way for early protection. this regard, a nation-wide rapid information network for A simpler method to detect nucleocapsid phosphoprotein all notifiable infectious diseases, including SARS, has (N -protein), developed by Che et al, subsequently became been established and maintained for real-time reports. available,(") and has been demonstrated to be a highly The network covers 100% of economically developed sensitive test and specific marker in diagnosing SARS. provinces in the east, and has reached 75% of townships Similarly, detection of viral RNA by means of throughout the country. The list of monitoring has now conventional or real-time RT-PCR remains the best been extended to include nearly 20 communicable diseases, method for the initial diagnosis of H5N1 infection.(16) compared with only a few before the SARS outbreaks. These assays can provide results within 4-6 hours, and The geographical distribution of monitoring sites is also can be performed under biosafety level two settings. widespread. For example, the total number of sentinels for Apart from SARS-CoV, diagnostic yields are higher influenza and SARS throughout the country has increased with throat specimens than with nasal swabs, because from 40 before 2002, to 195 in 2007. Techniques and Singapore Med J 2008; 49(8) : 597 strategies used are essentially consistent with World Health proper use of corticosteroids in confirmed critical SARS Organisation (WHO) recommendations and those adopted patients resulted in lowered mortality and shorter hospital by developed countries elsewhere. China has stipulated stay, and was not associated with significant secondary the process and timing for reports on any emergent public lower respiratory infections.i22' health events, and made online submissions of the reports With regard to influenza A (H5N1) viruses, early by designated centres mandatory.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • China Confronts Covid-19
    CHINA CONFRONTS COVID-19 By DAKE KANG and COLLEAGUES Associated Press STORY TK | ASSOCIATED PRESS 1 of 2 CRACKDOWN IN CHINA 1. CHINA DIDN’T WARN PUBLIC OF LIKELY PANDEMIC FOR 6 KEY DAYS April 15, 2020: Top Chinese ofcials secretly determined they were likely facing a pandemic from a new coronavirus in mid-January, ordering preparations even as they downplayed it in public. https://apnews.com/article/68a9e1b91de4fc166acd6012d82c2f9 2. CHINA DELAYED RELEASING CORONAVIRUS INFO, FRUSTRATING WHO June 3, 2020: Even as the World Health Organization publicly praised China, it privately complained about the lack of information it was getting on the new coronavirus. https://apnews.com/article/3c061794970661042b18d5aeaaed9fae 3. CHINA TESTING BLUNDERS STEMMED FROM SECRET DEALS WITH FIRMS Dec. 3, 2020: Secrecy and cronyism crippled China’s testing capacity in the early days of the outbreak, an Associated Press investigation has found. https://apnews.com/article/china-virus-testing-secret-deals-frms- 312f4a953e0264a3645219a08c62a0ad TABLE OF CONTENTS | ASSOCIATED PRESS https://apnews.com/article/68a9e1b91de4fc166acd6012d82c2f9 1 Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP Chinese President Xi Jinping talks by video with patients and medical workers at the Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province in a video released March 10, 2020. April 15, 2020 China didn’t warn public of likely pandemic for 6 key days By ASSOCIATED PRESS Associated Press In the six days after top Chinese ofcials secretly determined they likely were facing a pandemic from a new coronavirus, the city of Wuhan at the epicenter of the disease hosted a mass banquet for tens of thousands of people; millions began traveling through for Lunar New Year celebrations.
    [Show full text]
  • A Chinese Feminist's Reflections on the Pandemic: Gender, Surveillance
    1 gender, surveillance& rights onthepandemic: reflections A Chinesefeminist’s CAI YIPING CAI YIPING - JUNE 2020 - TALKS ON COVID - 19 TALKS DAWN DAWN On January 20, 2020 83-year-old Dr Zhong Nanshan solemnly announced on CCTV—on behalf of the National Commission of Health—that the new coronavirus pneumonia (discovered in Wuhan) is transmittable amongst people. After a month had passed, Cai Yiping took a train from Beijing to Tianjin to visit her parents for Chinese New Year—the Spring Festival. She noticed the few passengers travelling on public transport wearing masks and the lack of vehicles and pedestrians in the two cities. The exception, were the patrons queued up to buy festival food at the popular bakeries in preparation for the Spring Festival. Two days before the Chinese New Year, Wuhan was locked down. Movement of people was stopped and confinement measures were soon nationally imposed and it was as if the virus pressed a magic button putting into hibernation 1.4 billion people. Soon after, doctors and nurses across the country were deployed 2 to Wuhan and Hubei provinces as the health workers were on the verge of collapse—a result of the flooding in of patients seeking diagnosis and treatment. By mid-April, it was reported that a total of 42, 600 medical personnel supported Hubei, two-thirds of which were women. 100 days have passed since the lockdown of Wuhan and a glimpse CAI YIPING - JUNE 2020 of hope emerges. Children are now playing in parks, major cities now - witness traffic jams, people are dining out at their favourite restaurants and it seems that life has returned to normal.
    [Show full text]
  • Presentation: IPPR Co-Chairs
    World Health Organization Executive Board Special Session October 6, 2020 Update from the Co-Chairs of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Co-Chair Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Co-Chair Progress to Date – Key Milestones Resolution 73.1 WHO Director Secretariat Terms of Reference Executive Board adopted by World General appointed established. finalized. Special Session Health Assembly Co-Chairs for the Panelist Independent Panel nominations and Independent Panel for Pandemic comments on draft assembled and held st Preparedness & Terms of Reference. its 1 meeting. Response. Panelists selected May 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 Terms of Reference • The Panel will review experience gained and lessons learned from the international health response to COVID-19 as coordinated by WHO and assess: • (i) the overall relevance and effectiveness of the international health response to the COVID-19 pandemic; WHO IHR Review • (ii) the functioning of the International Health Regulations (2005) and the status of Committee implementation of the relevant recommendations of previous IHR Review Committees; • (iii) the effectiveness of the mechanisms at WHO’s disposal and the actions of WHO and their timelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic; • (iv) WHO’s contribution to United Nations-wide efforts. • In reviewing the experience gained and lessons learned from the WHO-coordinated international health response to COVID-19 as stated in the resolution the Panel will also: • (v) examine global health security threats and provide an analysis of past and future challenges and lessons learned; • (vi) include in its work analysis of the broader impacts of pandemics, including economic and social ones, and make recommendations to the extent that they have a direct bearing on future threats to global health security.
    [Show full text]
  • Potential Factors Influencing Repeated SARS Outbreaks in China
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Review Potential Factors Influencing Repeated SARS Outbreaks in China Zhong Sun 1 , Karuppiah Thilakavathy 1,2 , S. Suresh Kumar 2,3, Guozhong He 4,* and Shi V. Liu 5,* 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (Z.S.); [email protected] (K.T.) 2 Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] 3 Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia 4 Institute of Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China 5 Eagle Institute of Molecular Medicine, Apex, NC 27523, USA * Correspondence: [email protected] (G.H.); [email protected] (S.V.L.) Received: 28 January 2020; Accepted: 29 February 2020; Published: 3 March 2020 Abstract: Within last 17 years two widespread epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in China, which were caused by related coronaviruses (CoVs): SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Although the origin(s) of these viruses are still unknown and their occurrences in nature are mysterious, some general patterns of their pathogenesis and epidemics are noticeable. Both viruses utilize the same receptor—angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)—for invading human bodies. Both epidemics occurred in cold dry winter seasons celebrated with major holidays, and started in regions where dietary consumption of wildlife is a fashion. Thus, if bats were the natural hosts of SARS-CoVs, cold temperature and low humidity in these times might provide conducive environmental conditions for prolonged viral survival in these regions concentrated with bats.
    [Show full text]
  • Focus on Scientists Who Tamed Virus
    CHINA DAILY | HONG KONG EDITION Monday, December 7, 2020 | 7 CHINA From left: Cao Bin, deputy director of the National Center for Respiratory Medicine, and vice-president of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing; Han Qide, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, pathophysiologist and honorary president of the China Association for Science and Technology; Cheng Jing, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and medical biophysicist; Wu Yiling, CAE academician, doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and founder of Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical. PHOTOS BY ZHU XINGXIN / CHINA DAILY Zhong Nanshan (left), a prominent respiratory disease expert and CAE academician, chats with Wang Chen, CAE vice- president and president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences , at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Annual Con- gress of the Chinese Thoracic Society in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Oct 23. Focus on scientists who tamed virus In this year’s battle to contain COVID­19, Chinese medical scientists have always been on the front line and made important contributions. China Daily photographer Zhu Xingxin zooms in on some of the scientists at the forefront of the struggle. Clockwise from left: Huang Jiefu (center), hepatobiliary surgery specialist and director of the China National Organ Donation and Transplantation Committee, at a public event promoting organ donation in Beijing in June. Zeng Yixin, CAS academician, oncologist and deputy director of the National Health Commission; Yang Weizhong, vice-president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association and executive president of the School of Population Medicine and Public Health at Peking Union Medical College..
    [Show full text]
  • COVID-19: Make It the Last Pandemic
    COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city of area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Report Design: Michelle Hopgood, Toronto, Canada Icon Illustrator: Janet McLeod Wortel Maps: Taylor Blake COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic by The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness & Response 2 of 86 Contents Preface 4 Abbreviations 6 1. Introduction 8 2. The devastating reality of the COVID-19 pandemic 10 3. The Panel’s call for immediate actions to stop the COVID-19 pandemic 12 4. What happened, what we’ve learned and what needs to change 15 4.1 Before the pandemic — the failure to take preparation seriously 15 4.2 A virus moving faster than the surveillance and alert system 21 4.2.1 The first reported cases 22 4.2.2 The declaration of a public health emergency of international concern 24 4.2.3 Two worlds at different speeds 26 4.3 Early responses lacked urgency and effectiveness 28 4.3.1 Successful countries were proactive, unsuccessful ones denied and delayed 31 4.3.2 The crisis in supplies 33 4.3.3 Lessons to be learnt from the early response 36 4.4 The failure to sustain the response in the face of the crisis 38 4.4.1 National health systems under enormous stress 38 4.4.2 Jobs at risk 38 4.4.3 Vaccine nationalism 41 5.
    [Show full text]
  • CONNECTION the Official Newsletter of Zhejiang University Issue 16 Feb.2020
    CONNECTION The Official Newsletter of Zhejiang University Issue 16 Feb.2020 COVID-19 Special Issue Stand Strong Message from Editor-in-Chief CONNECTION Welcome to the special COVID-19 issue of Issue 16 CONNECTION, which highlights the efforts and contributions of ZJU community in face of the epidemic. As a group, they are heroes in harm's way, givers and doers who respond swiftly to the need of our city, our country and the world. When you read their stories, you'll recognize the strength and solidarity that define all ZJUers. ZJU community has demonstrated its courage and resilience in the battle against the novel coronavirus. At this time, let us all come together to protect ourselves and our loved ones, keep all those who are at the front lines in our prayers and pass on our gratitude to those who have joined and contributed to the fight against the virus. Together, we will weather this crisis. LI Min, Editor-in-Chief Director, Office of Global Engagement Editorial office : Global Communications Office of Global Engagement, Zhejiang University 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, P.R. China 310058 Phone: +86 571 88981259 Fax: +86 571 87951315 Email: [email protected] Edited by : CHEN Weiying, AI Ni Designed by : HUANG Zhaoyi Material from Connection may be reproduced accompanied with appropriate acknowledgement. CONTENTS Faculty One of the heroes in harm’s way: LI Lanjuan 03 ZJU medics answered the call from Wuhan 04 Insights from ZJU experts 05 Alumni Fund for Prevention and Control of Viral Infectious Diseases set up 10 Alumni community mobilized in the battle against COVID-19 11 Education Classes start online during the epidemic 15 What ZJUers feel about online learning 15 Efforts to address concerns, avoid misinformation 17 International World standing with us 18 International students lending a hand against the epidemic 20 What our fans say 21 FacultyFaculty ZJU community has taken on the responsibility to join the concertedZJU community efforts has takenagainst on thethe responsibility spreadto join the of concerted the virus.
    [Show full text]
  • Addressing This Moment in History
    Addressing This Moment in History: A Gender-Based Approach to Combatting COVID-19 International Women's Human Rights | Spring 2020 Alyssa Cannizzaro • Blanche Helbling • Eduarda Lague Course taught by Associate Dean Rangita de Silva de Alwis Presented to UN Special Rapporteur Agnès Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on Extra Judicial and Arbitrary Executions and UN Women Introduction In January, 2020, Penn Law's Class on International Women's Human Rights set out to mark the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform of Action and the new generation of gender equality laws, policies, and social movements that had grown out of that extraordinary moment in history in 1995. In March 2020, what was to be a celebration of a new generation of policymaking and policymakers rapidly changed into a moment that would define a new generation and its future. The scholars in the class used this "generation defining-moment" to come up with new ideas and theories that will come to shape how we build back a post-COVID future. These student papers bring a global women's human rights- based approach to addressing the direct and indirect health, social, economic, cultural, political, human security and gender impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on marginalized populations, including, women, minorities, migrant workers, displaced persons and prison populations globally. As future policymakers, the hope is that their policy directives on a range of issues, including violence against women, access to water, reproductive health, and gender stereotypes will help mitigate and combat current and future global crisis situations. In the course of history, black swan events have led to significant social and political change, including the modern employment contract after the Great Bubonic Plague.
    [Show full text]
  • COVID-19-Like Illness in Mojiang Miners (2012) and the Mine
    1 COVID-19-like illness in Mojiang miners (2012) and the mine 2 could provide important clues to the origin of SARS-CoV-2 3 1 2 4 Monali C. Rahalkar* and Rahul A. Bahulikar 5 6 1C2, Bioenergy group, MACS Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411004, 7 Maharashtra, India 8 2BAIF Development Research Foundation, Central Research Station, Urulikanchan, Pune 412202 9 *Corresponding author: [email protected] 10 Running Title: Links of Mojiang mineshaft pneumonia to COVID-19 11 One line summary: COVID-19-like illness in Mojiang miners and the mine could provide an 12 important link to the origin of SARS-CoV-2. 13 (Manuscript in review) 1 14 Abstract 15 There is currently a lack of information regarding the precise origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The 16 nearest genomic relative to SARS-CoV-2 was reported in February to be a bat virus RaTG13. The 17 sequence RaTG13 (CoV/4991) is in fact derived from a sample originally collected from a mineshaft 18 in Mojiang, Yunnan in July 2013. The reason for the coronavirus surveillance in this bat population 19 was an outbreak of lethal pneumonia in six miners in 2012. Three of the miners succumbed to the 20 infection. A medical student’s Masters thesis from Kunming Medical University describes clearly the 21 miners’ conditions, the details of which upon review show a striking resemblance to COVID-19. The 22 similarities were in terms of bilateral pneumonia, thrombotic complications, and secondary infections. 23 The treatment was a combination of antivirals, steroids, anti-thrombotic, and antibiotics are similar to 24 what is given for COVID-19.
    [Show full text]
  • Coronavirus Brief
    CAIXIN GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE CORONAVIRUS BRIEF Feb. 07 Executive Summary The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak has severely disrupted the Chinese economy since mid-January this year. Economists broadly agree that the shock should be temporary but will drag down economic growth for 2020. Caixin Global Intelligence (CGI) has compiled a brief covering the current status, timeline of events, and overview of economists’ expected potential impacts and responses. 1 2 Timeline Dec.08 First infection after virus breaks species barrier in Wuhan Wuhan health commission acknowledges "mysterious pneumonia" and alerts hospitals, in a Dec.30 memo later leaked to the public National Health Commission sends team of experts to Wuhan, led by prominent epidemiologist Dec.31 and pulmonologist Zhong Nanshan Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market closed; Wuhan police punishes eight doctors for "spreading Jan.01 rumors" about virus 41 patients in Wuhan confirmed to have contracted the virus, including 27 with direct exposure Jan.02 to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Jan.07 Pathogen of unexplained viral pneumonia identified as a Novel Coronavirus Jan.09 First death Jan.10 Virus genome sequenced Jan.13 First confirmed case outside of China Jan.19 China confirms first cases outside of Wuhan Zhong Nanshan reveals person-to-person transmission; Premier Li Keqiang urges decisive Jan.20 efforts to control the epidemic Zhong Nanshan reveals person-to-person transmission; Premier Li Keqiang urges decisive Jan.20 efforts to control the epidemic Officials announce quarantine of Wuhan effective the next day; North Korea closes its border, Jan.22 the first country to do so; WHO holds first emergency meeting to determine if virus constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern" (PHEIC) First confirmed incidence of human transmission outside China; almost all cities in Hubei Jan.24 enforce quarantine Jan.25 U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Pursue Greater Unity and Progress News Brief
    VOL.50 ISSUE 3 · 2020 《中国人大》对外版 NPC National People’s Congress of China PURSUE GREATER UNITY AND pROGRESS NEWS BRIEF President Xi Jinping attends a video conference with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres from Beijing on September 23. Liu Weibing 2 NATIONAL PEOPle’s CoNGRESS OF CHINA ISSUE 3 · 2020 3 6 Pursue greater unity and progress Contents UN’s 75th Anniversary CIFTIS: Global Services, Shared Prosperity National Medals and Honorary Titles 6 18 26 Pursue greater unity Global services, shared prosperity President Xi presents medals and progress to COVID-19 fighters 22 9 Shared progress and mutually Special Reports Make the world a better place beneficial cooperation for everyone 24 30 12 Accelerated development of trade in Work together to defeat COVID-19 Xi Jinping meets with UN services benefits the global economy and build a community with a shared Secretary-General António future for mankind Guterres 32 14 Promote peace and development China’s commitment to through parliamentary diplomacy multilateralism illustrated 4 NATIONAL PEOPle’s CoNGRESS OF CHINA 42 The final stretch Accelerated development of trade in 24 services benefits the global economy 36 Top legislator stresses soil protection ISSUE 3 · 2020 Fcous 38 Stop food waste with legislation, 34 crack down on eating shows Top legislature resolves HKSAR Leg- VOL.50 ISSUE 3 September 2020 Co vacancy concern Administrated by General Office of the Standing Poverty Alleviation Committee of National People’s Congress 36 Top legislator stresses soil protection Chief Editor: Wang Yang General Editorial 42 Office Address: 23 Xijiaominxiang, The final stretch Xicheng District, Beijing 37 100805, P.R.China Full implementation wildlife protection Tel: (86-10)5560-4181 law stressed (86-10)6309-8540 E-mail: [email protected] COVER: President Xi Jinping ad- ISSN 1674-3008 dresses a high-level meeting to CN 11-5683/D commemorate the 75th anniversary Price: RMB 35 of the United Nations via video link Edited by The People’s Congresses Journal on September 21.
    [Show full text]
  • The Unknown Virus: the Social Logic of Bio- Conspiracy Theories in Contemporary China*
    chapter 9 The Unknown Virus: The Social Logic of Bio- conspiracy Theories in Contemporary China* Kevin Carrico Following a long night of drinking with colleagues in early 2010, Chen made what he claims was his first and only visit to a sex worker, at a sauna in Guang- zhou.1 After a semi-sobering shower, he proceeded to a back room. A young woman with a Northeastern accent soon entered, and after a bit of suggestive massaging, the true intention of his visit began. Aware of the potential risks involved, Chen wore a condom; however, he was unable to perform and left in embarrassment after some awkward embraces and even more awkward dia- logue. On his walk home, where his wife and daughter were already fast asleep, Chen began to feel itchy, and claimed that he could feel his organs swelling inside of him. When he awoke the next morning, he had a throbbing headache and diarrhea, and vomited a number of times. Overlooking the possibility of an intense hangover after a long night of drinking, Chen’s mind immediately raced to his liaison, or rather his attempted liaison, the night before, and then raced onward to aids, where everything suddenly made quite anxiety-inducing sense: he had contracted aids during his sauna visit. When his first hiv test came back negative just a few days later, he did not feel relief: instead, he was certain that it was wrong.2 In the weeks and months that followed, Chen experi- enced chills, sweating, diarrhea, uncontrollable muscular spasms, depression, weight loss, and impotence; furthermore, he underwent one hiv test after another, completing a total of fourteen at various medical institutions around * I would like to thank the Comparative Literature Section at Sun Yat-sen University, particu- larly Ai Xiaoming 艾晓明 and Ke Qianting 柯倩婷, for providing me with such an intellec- tually exciting home during my fieldwork.
    [Show full text]