Einen Monat nach dem globalen Ausbruch einer bisher unbekannten, jedoch hochgradig ansteckenden und lebensbedrohlichen atypischen „Lungenkrankheit“ – die Rede ist von SARS, einer Krankheit, die zum ersten Mal im Februar 2003 in einer südchinesischen Provinz beobachtet wurde – beschreibt David L. Heymann, Leiter der Abteilung der (WHO), das spezifische Risiko- und Gefahrenpotential des : „SARS is emerging in ways that suggest great potential for rapid international spread under the favorable conditions created by a highly mobile, closely interconnected world. Anecdotal data indicate an incubation period of 2 to 10 days (average 2 to 7 days), allowing the infectious agent to be transported, unsuspected und undetected, in a symptomless air traveler from one city in the world to any other city having an international airport. Person-to-person transmission through close contact with respiratory secretions has been demonstrated. The initial symptoms are nonspecific and common. The concentration of cases in previously healthy staff and the proportion of patients requiring intensive care are particularly alarming. The „21 century“ disease could have other consequences as well. Should SARS continue to spread, the global economic consequences – already estimated at around US $ 30 billion – could be great in a closely interconnected and interdependent world.“ (WHO 2003: 5)
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