Author(s)

Huizhong Liu

Corresponding Author

Huizhong Liu

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus disease is a public health emergency that has seriously affected a large number of patients and spread widely. Since the first case was discovered in Wuhan, Hubei, China's achievements in fighting against the pandemic have been highly praised all over the world. However, there are still some deficiencies in the early warning and information reporting system of infectious diseases. This paper makes a horizontal comparison between foreign legislation, measures and Chinese mode, traces back to the emergency response system of "SARS" in 2003, analyzes and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the current early warning and information reporting system of infectious diseases in China, and puts forward my suggestions on its development prospects, hoping to promote further improvement of prevention and control system and comprehensive control ability of infectious disease. By using the method of comparative analysis, I focus on the reporting system of infectious disease information between Canada and China. I also adopt the analytical thinking of historical research, reviews the emergency measures against SARS, points out its limitations, and affirms the progress in prevention and control systems and the ability to deal with infectious diseases over the years. Based on systematic analysis, I come to the following conclusions. Firstly, China has established and improved the nationwide early warning and information reporting mechanism for infectious diseases. Secondly, compared today’s specific measures with Canada and China during SARS period, the current early warning and information reporting system for infectious diseases is superior and progressive. Thirdly, there is sort of problem existed in relevant laws and regulations, such as confusion in responsibility entity, unclear responsibility, inadequate provisions and weak operability. For example, it takes much time and effort to report information layer by layer. Besides, CDC's power is limited, "whistleblowers" rights are not fully guaranteed, and the early warning timeliness is poor. Fourthly, we need to further advance the epidemic early warning system, clarify the functional position of CDC, rely on scientific and technological means to expand information channels, and optimize the reporting process of infectious disease cases.

KEYWORDS

Infectious diseases, early warning, network direct report, foreign law, SARS