Lab safety against SARS infection vital ( 2003-12-18 22:11) (Xinhua)
Taiwan and Singapore's newly- discovered SARS cases illustrate the peril of
the killing disease, a medical expert in Hong Kong said Thursday.
Guan Yi, associate professor of the University of Hong Kong, said man must
stay on high alert over SARS, even the researchers cannot neglect the safety
regulations.
On a relevant development, the Taiwan's new SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome) patient did not abide by the home quarantine and left home for a
clinic, a health official said Thursday.
Regarding the reports, Guan told Xinhua that it was very dangerous to
overlook the danger of SARS.
"The virus is existing around us and can catch us anytime when we are
reckless."
There are now two labs in Hong Kong that keep samples of SARS. Guan's lab is
one of them, which he said has been treated by his research group "very
carefully."
"Singapore and Taiwan's SARS cases were all due to the neglect of safety
procedures, which therefore is a alarm bell for all the researcher on SARS,"
Guan said.
Guan said according to his current study result, he cannot tell whether or
not SARS will come back this year.
"But I do not agree that it comes back annually, like the flu disease," he
said.