China has reported several cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS, one year after declaring victory over the disease. The news comes on the heels of a new study that suggests that SARS might spread through the air. Troubling though these developments are, in some ways they are encouraging. China's readiness to reveal the new cases indicates that Beijing has learned its lessons: covering up cases is not possible.
The study results provide a new understanding of how the disease is transmitted. With that knowledge, health officials will be better able to prevent and respond to future outbreaks.