The "Epidemic Detection Plan," a new program for the prevention and control of new infectious diseases, was launched in China recently. The purpose of the program is to apply effective means and technologies to rapidly screen, detect, identify, trace, diagnose and treat new infectious diseases, while taking necessary quarantine measures and sending out alarm at the same time.

The plan, jointly launched by the Ministry of Health and the Health Section of the General Logistics Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), involves such major research projects as working out testing methods for new infectious diseases in China and those may possibly be exported to the country; pathogen-testing technologies for new infectious diseases; identifying and clinical diagnosing system; early alarming and clinical technologies for curing internal body organ dysfunction caused by infectious diseases; and research on transmission area of new infectious diseases in China.

According to sources from the Department of Rural and Social Development of the Ministry of Science and Technology, China has launched a key research project, New Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Technology and Its Application, with an input of 60 million yuan (US$7.25 million). It is listed as one of the major projects for China's 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-2005). The project is based on the fact that new infectious diseases are threatening the world; some have been rampant in China and others are possibly spread to the country. How to prevent new infectious diseases has become a serious issue drawing concern from the global health and medicine circles.

Jiang Suchun, an epidemic expert and professor with the No. 302 PLA Hospital, explained that "new infectious diseases" are referred to those that either attacked the country in the past two or three decades, or have been brought into China recently, as well as those that have new variations. Some are newly found and others have pathogenic variations, such as flu.

This disease detection plan shows the cooperation between military and civilian professionals. It will help discern diseases timely and accurately, ascertaining the transmission channels and means and setting a timely alarm. 

(China.org.cn by Guo Xiaohong January 19, 2004)