Lessons for Crisis Management and Public Health Policy FU Jun (Peking University)*

    Prologue: An Unknown Disease

On November 16, 2002, Mr. Pang Zuoyao, of Bingtang Village, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, suddenly developed a fever, headache, cough, and fatigue. He was rushed to the nearby Shiwan Hospital. His 39.5-degree fever, however, persisted in spite of a variety of treatments. A few days later, he was transferred to the People’s Hospital of Foshan City and admitted to its ICU (intensive care unit). There, presumably, doctors were better trained. Strapped to a ventilator, Mr. Pang remained cognizant, awake, but unable to speak. Not knowing what disease he had contracted, he was frightened.

Doctors were perplexed as to the cause of his ailments. Even more frightening, Mr. Pang’s wife, aunt, and niece all developed similar symptoms, and all were hospitalized.

Today, we know that he contracted what is called SARS (severe acute respiratory syndromes). Recognized as the first SARS patient in China, Mr. Pang is still alive today, but his case marks a milestone in the history of public health of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Copyrighted material. Use in class discussion is authorized by Prof. Fu Jun.

• This is part of a narrative project on China stories and is financially supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. During various stages of its composition and rendition, including research, interviews, transcribing, drafting, drawing, translations, and classroom teaching and discussion, I have been assisted by a dedicated taskforce. Members include Zhou Qiang, Yin Jianhong, Xin Ying, Gabriel Lerner, Zoe Jordan, and Zhao Ting. I also want to express my thanks to students, too many to name here, especially from developing countries, for participating in my classes and training sessions, and giving feedbacks.

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