It is possible that SARS will resurface in this country, but the chances of a major outbreak of the killer atypical pneumonia are slim given experience accumulated in fighting the disease, Academia Sinica's vice president said yesterday.
Taiwan's achievements over the past year in the research and development of anti-SARS vaccines, SARS treatment medication as well as SARS virus identifying techniques were commendable, researcher Michael Lai (賴明詔) said.
Lai, reputed to be the father of coronavirus research and who studied the virus for more than 20 years in the US before assuming his job in Taiwan, made the remarks during a speech entitled "The Challenges of Viruses to Modern Societies" at a regular monthly meeting at the President Office yesterday, which was presided over by President Chen Shui-bian (
Experiments on animals have shown that the coronavirus can survive in animals for several months without the animal showing any symptoms, Lai said, adding that the same situation might be true for humans.
This would mean that some people might be carrying the virus without developing the disease, but still be capable of spreading the disease to others, he said.
Genetic analyses conducted in China showed that at least three types of SARS viruses had "jumped" from different types of civets to humans over the past two years, Lai said, adding that this means that SARS viruses could jump to human beings again and again because SARS viruses are already "rooted" in civets.
Against this backdrop, Lai said, SARS could recur as long as the animals exist.
Although the virus can mutate over time, Lai said, it will not change too greatly, and the public can protect itself properly by following the precautionary measures worked out by health agencies in the country.
More than one year after Taiwan was battered by SARS, the country is better equipped and prepared for any war against the epidemic disease in the future, Lai said.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
The US Department of State on Monday reaffirmed that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, following US President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification” while commenting on recent trade talks with China. Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump described what he viewed as progress in trade negotiations with China held in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. “They’ve agreed to open China — fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China. I think it’s going to be fantastic for us,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the
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