SARS and the Academic Health Sector.

SARS illustrated the vulnerability of the entire country to the importation of new organisms and other unexpected health crises. As the federal government assumes a leadership role in developing programs and policies affecting the security of Canada, so, too, should it assume a leadership role in public health matters, especially in an era of possible bioterrorism. The essential needs of such a system include: * A real-time inventory of research and response capacity to include the academic, industry, and government communities that could respond to a major health crisis in the future. * Research platforms in place across the country such as appropriately secure animal care facilities, biobanks, and other technologies necessary to immediately address research issues arising from such a crisis. * Coordinated processes to move appropriate people and resources into place when a health crisis requires such action. * Financial contingency funds that can be mobilized on relatively short notice to respond to the needs of altered patient care patterns and research.