Four letters I didn't want to hear in 2004 were S-A-R-S. Unfortunately, I've been finding the S-word all over the news lately as China last week confirmed its first SARS case of the season, and has since announced two additional suspected cases. I've seen this movie and it sucks.
To make matters worse, I stumbled upon a quote from WHO regional coordinator Peter Cordingley regarding the new Asian Bird Flu in Vietnam. Cordingley suggested that if the Asian Bird Flu begins to spread person-to-person, it could become a bigger problem than SARS. A global health crisis could erupt. Five more suspected human cases of this virus were reported yesterday.
I miss the good old days when we got the 24 hour flu and the common cold. Our biggest threat was chicken pox and the worst side effect was some itching. There was nothing some Tylenol couldn't cure. The times they are a-changing.
