FAO SENDS SARS EXPERT TO CHINA

FAO SENDS SARS EXPERT TO CHINA

To Investigate Role of Animals in Spreading Virus

(Reissued as received.)

ROME, 10 July (FAO) –- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will send a senior Australian veterinarian to China on Friday for a three-week visit to help coordinate an international investigation into the roles animals might play in spreading the deadly SARS virus.

Dr. Laurie Gleeson, a leading viral disease expert from FAO's Collaborating Centre at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong will visit several Chinese provinces, FAO said.

He will be a focal point in communication between Chinese authorities, FAO, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and international researchers.

"FAO has taken the lead in providing this international collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture in China.  My role is to assist the Government of China to develop their program to investigate animal-related aspects of the SARS epidemic", Dr Gleeson said.

"During the mission we will collate information on research to date and identify areas that require further research.  We will also explore where international collaboration will assist China to quickly resolve some key issues, such as the need for diagnostic tests for animals", he said.

"We need to know the natural host of the virus and understand if other animal species may become infected and are able to transmit it so we can be prepared to prevent epidemics of SARS arising in the future", he said.

For more information:  FAO Newsroom:  http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/; or contact Erwin Northoff, FAO Information Officer, e-mail: Erwin.northoff@fao.org, tel.: (+39) 06 570 53105.

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