Action Plan to Address Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asia & Pacific

Abstract

This report begins with a situational analysis of health, economic, and social impacts, supported by identified needs, and concludes with recommended actions that ADB can take with its partners to effectively address the SARS outbreak. A logical framework is given in the Appendix. The longer the disease lasts—and major medical questions remain unanswered—the more serious the economic and social impacts will be. It is not clear at this time how this epidemic will play out. A recent paper3 proposes possible scenarios that may prevail. Given the continuing uncertainty about SARS nature and transmission, the actual outcome could be within this range, or could be worse.