SARS Vs. The System: The Outbreak Won This Time – What Has Changed in Preparation For Future Opponents?

January 22 2007 by The Systemic Analyst.

Originally published in The Walsingham Papersby The Walsingham Institute. 

A recent report from the Ontario government’s SARS Commission slammed the system.

This is a curious pointing of fingers – although we believe our current system includes a strong measure of responsibility - representing and in many ways protecting its citizens – one has to wonder if this point of view isn’t entirely outmoded for the problems we face. In a world where everything seems to be inter-connected, a serious disease outbreak, be it pandemic or not, will cause an enormous strain on the existing social and economic network – one that already finds itself overburdened. Indeed, microbes don’t care about systemic procedures – is focusing on the role of the system really the best tactic we have in the wake of a pandemic?

The SARS outbreak itself was found to have not been preventable. Although outbreaks of some known microbes can be averted – outbreaks of emerging disease seldom are. However, in most cases the further spread of disease or infection from the initial outbreak is very much preventable – and sometimes through the most basic means - maintaining proper hygiene, avoiding hospitals unless absolutely necessary, understanding the weaknesses in our systems and refraining from panic can all help prevent the spread of viruses. Focusing heavily on large health or government systems that require years to respond and then investigate the errors of their ways seems unlikely to provide the immediate and necessary measures against the problems we will inevitably face.

Indeed, it would seem more reasonable that each and every individual accept responsibility for their own health and that of their family. This does not entail the abuse of antibiotics and other medications that should be left to fight serious illnesses or over-application of anti-bacterial soaps and lotions – both decrease our chances of fighting dangerous viruses as a result. Yet to measure our own reactions – we must begin to understand that all we can really control in the wake of a pandemic or any other emergency for that matter are our own reactions to events and dangers.

SARS was a small reminder from nature that we have not conquered microbes or viruses. It was a wake up call that although we have had apparently few highly contagious illnesses affect us in the western world (indeed Ebola, Lassa and Bolivian Hemorrhagic fevers have not blinded other areas of the globe) we are not permanently immune or sheltered. Continued human encroachment on remote areas, which may contain viruses (Africa, Amazon basin etc) as well as advancing climate change may all influence the spread of diseases to new areas. New thinking around how we approach disease must be fostered – and how we as a society prepare in the wake of an outbreak. It may very well become the norm that individuals, businesses or local communities will become the initiators (and thus responsible for) those programs that once were the offering of governments in the preparation and mitigation of pandemics and other disasters.

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