The Fight Against SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a disease caused by a coronavirus that broke out in some parts of China in 2003. The origin trace research showed that Foshan City of Guangdong Province had its first SARS case in November 2002. In early February 2003, Guangdong reported a high number of infections, and the virus had spread to Hong Kong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Shanxi and other areas by mid-February. On March 1, Beijing received its first inbound case and after that, the city gradually became one of the areas worst-hit by the disease. The SARS outbreak was a serious public health incident in 21st-century China.
In response to the outbreak, the CPC Central Committee adopted a series of measures, including setting up a unified leading mechanism and a reporting system, and taking resolute actions to contain the virus. On April 21, daily reporting of new and suspected cases began. On April 23, the office in charge of SARS prevention and control started operation under the State Council, to exercise unified leadership and coordinate nationwide efforts. On May 1, the first hospital for treating SARS, rapidly built in Beijing's suburban Xiaotangshan Town, began to receive patients. On June 19, most hospitals in Beijing resumed normal medical service. As SARS had been brought under effective control across China, the WHO lifted its travel advisory against Beijing on June 24 and removed the city from the list of SARS-infected areas. This marked China's victory against the virus on its mainland.
Confronted by this serious public health emergency, the whole country united as one under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. There were many moving stories of people supporting each other against the viral infection. The whole nation displayed an unyielding spirit in winning the battle over SARS.
The victory showed the strength of Chinese socialism, enhanced the Chinese people's confidence and courage in overcoming difficulties, and increased national cohesion. It also boosted international confidence in China and expanded the country's global influence.
战胜“非典”疫情
非典型肺炎，简称“非典”，专业术语称作“严重急性呼吸系统综合征”，指2003年中国局部地区发生的一类由冠状病毒引起的肺部感染病症。溯源调查表明，2002年11月，广东省佛山市出现第一位“非典”患者。2003年2月初，广东的“非典”进入发病高发期。2月中旬，“非典”疫情传至香港、广西、四川、山西等更多地区。3月1日，北京接收了第一个输入性“非典”病例，并逐渐成为“非典”的重灾区。“非典”疫情，是21世纪中国发生的一次严重的突发公共卫生事件。
为抗击“非典”疫情，中共中央作出一系列重大部署，明确要求建立防疫工作统一领导机制，严格疫情报告制度，采取果断措施防止疫情扩散。4月21日，全国实施每天一次“非典”新增病例与疑似病例的报告与公布制度。4月23日，国务院成立防治非典型肺炎指挥部，统一指挥、协调全国非典型肺炎的防治工作。5月1日，经过紧急筹建的北京市第一家专门治疗“非典”的临时性传染病医院小汤山医院开始接收患者。6月19日，北京市大部分医院恢复正常医疗秩序。与此同时，全国其他省、市、自治区的“非典”疫情也已得到有效控制。6月24日，世界卫生组织宣布撤销对北京的旅行警告，同时将北京从“非典”疫区名单中排除。至此，中国内地抗击“非典”疫情取得了决定性胜利。
面对突如其来的“非典”疫情的严峻考验，在中共中央、国务院的坚强领导下，全国人民奋起抗击，形成了“万众一心、众志成城，团结互助、和衷共济，迎难而上、敢于胜利”的抗击非典精神。这一精神成为鼓舞全党和全国人民夺取抗击非典斗争胜利的强大动力。抗击“非典”斗争的胜利，进一步显示了中国特色社会主义制度的巨大优越性，极大提高了中国人民战胜困难的勇气和能力，增强了中华民族的凝聚力，增强了世界各国对中国发展前景的信心，扩大了中国在国际上的影响。
