CWU Professor Proposes Plan To Combat SARS

November 20, 2003

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Health authorities and scientists alike are concerned that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) will re-emerge.

Dr. Lixing Sun, Central Washington University biology professor, has taken this concern to the next level and proposed an idea to combat diseases like SARS as part of a "Grand Challenge to Global Health" launched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation working with the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH).

The Gates Foundation selected Sun's proposal as one of 14 challenges that, if solved, could lead to major advances against diseases of the developing world.

"These grand challenges capture the tremendous potential for bright, creative scientists to make a difference in the lives of billions of people around the globe," Tommy Thompson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said.

Scientists in 75 countries round the world submitted more than 1,000 idea proposals for the $200 million initiative. The FNIH's scientific board developed key ideas, including Sun's, into specific challenges.

"My idea is to establish an institution in southern China that will proactively seek and prevent wildlife-transmitted diseases," Sun said. "Currently, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) only reacts to outbreaks. Actively working to prevent diseases will be a giant step toward improved global health."

Scientists recently released information that SARS originated from the consumption of a wild, cat-like mammal known as the masked civet.

"In southeastern Asia, they traditionally eat wildlife that hasn't been inspected, putting people in great danger," Sun said. "And in today's global community, infections are easily spread. Diseases like SARS aren't contained."

The institution will also promote awareness that these diseases stem from the consumption of wildlife. Sun proposes to educate the local population on the dangers of eating wildlife in an effort to suppress diseases like SARS.

SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Over the next few months, the disease spread to more than two-dozen countries in Asia, Europe, North America and South America. According to the World Health Organization, during the SARS outbreak, more than 8,000 people worldwide were infected and more than 700 died. It's possible that the disease could re-emerge, according to the CDC.

"Many people wanted to take action against the spread of wildlife-transmitted diseases before SARS struck," Sun said. "Now there is even more enthusiasm."

Sun's intentions are two-fold; firstly, he wants to prevent wildlife-transmitted diseases. His second initiative is to greatly reduce the illegal wildlife trade that thrives in Southeastern Asia.

The FNIH is now seeking detailed grant proposals from the international scientific community for the 14 challenges that could merit up to $20 million each for a maximum five-year period. Sun plans to submit a letter of intent and then a formal grant proposal that details his plan to build an institution in South China to prevent disease and protect wildlife.

In the event that the Gates Foundation doesn't select his proposal, Sun is certain that global conservation organizations will welcome it.

"I'll organize an international team with the Chinese government and groups such as the Wildlife Conservation Society or the World Wildlife Fund," Sun said. "This project would be highly beneficial to the global population in preventing the spread of disease and promoting the conservation of wildlife."