The Harbin Business Exchange (HBE) In Brief reported on April 8, 2003 on SARS. Below is the finding of Larry P. Horist, HBE President on SARS with reference to HBE's planned visit to Harbin, China:
As of this morning's reports, SARS has affected 2,939 people worldwide. Of those, 106 have died. That puts the disease's mortality rate about 4%, similar to the rate of more common and extensive influenza, according to Dr. Julie Hall, a WHO medical officer. Millions of people in the United States - about 10% to 20% of U.S. residents - will get a variety of influenza each year. Annually, on average, about 36,000 will die from the disease. During just this past week, according to CDC reports, the proportion of influenza deaths in the U.S. was 7.6% - or nearly double the rate of SARS worldwide. The U.S. death rate for SARS is 7. It does not appear to be as virulent or dangerous as the flu we see every day. If there is a pandemic concern, it appears that the new technologies in world communication have created hysteria. The already suffering airlines have cut some flights to southern China. One press observer states that Air Canada has quit flights to Beijing trying to link the SARS virus with that business decision. It fails to note that Air Canada filed for Chapter 11 protection this week. Schools are calling home students. Businesses are curtailing travel. These, and many other actions, both reflect and enhance the mass hysteria. The World Health Organization has not deemed it necessary to recommend travel restrictions even to the regions hardest hit. From our standpoint, it is also relevant that SARS is almost exclusively a southern China and southeast Asia phenomenon. Our trade missions operate in northern China - 1,800 miles from Hong Kong, and not on the travel routes for that city. We certainly share the desire to be safe and healthy. But based on facts, not media driven fears, travel to Harbin seems as safe today as any time. Since some affected by the scare may stay away, it may be even a better time to access the business and investment opportunities available there. Of course, should the situation become more critical, though not anticipated to do so by the health professionals, we will adjust our plans. While there are no assurances in life, we believe that SARS is a nonfactor in any decision to travel to Harbin.