SARS: China's unwelcomed guest

July 2003, a month that the world will hail as the World Health Organization's greatest mistake. During this month, the WHO declared that the disease known as SARS (Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome) had been effectively stopped. Unfortunately, the disease re-emerged in China in January of 2004. Just what is this disease that wrecks havoc on the country on China? Many theories have come on why China is one of the most affected countries. Is is because of a lack of medical treatment? That shouldn't be the case. China has made many strides in the war including the foundation of a vaccine for SARS. A cure which will work by exploiting a recently discovered component of the disease in its makeup. Customs? Last time I checked, no Chinese custom involves coughing in any other persons face and many Chinese people wear masks in SARS infected areas. So what could it possibly if facilities and local customs aren't the issue? Well, WHO would attribute it to the fact that China has 1/3 of the worlds population, or possibly that China, despite having good hospitals, does have some villages in the countryside that do not have some essential for healthy living. China is currently wining the battle against SARS, but the war will not be over until every citizen of the oldest nation on earth have the modern conveniences which are necessary to survive in a world where the deadliest disease can be passed by a unprotected cough.