There is little comforting about being in the eye of a storm. With Sars again detected on the mainland and the H5N1 bird flu virus causing deaths in Vietnam and breaking out among poultry in Japan and South Korea, Hong Kong is in an uneasy position.
Neither of these deadly viruses evolved in Hong Kong; scientists pinpoint southern China as their place of origin. The same was apparently the case for the last two global flu pandemics, the so-called Hong Kong flu in 1968 and the Asian flu in 1957.
But because of our location and role as a regional transport and business hub, we are highly susceptible to falling victim to Sars, bird flu and whatever new permutations may come along. In Hong Kong's favour, though, is our unrivalled expertise in dealing with such emergencies. The rest of the world looks to us for the answers.
That has been the case with the H5N1 outbreak in Vietnam, from where samples were flown to the city for testing. It was the same with Sars - our experience counted for much when the virus began spreading to other countries last year.
The World Health Organisation, one of the United Nations' most effective bodies, frequently turns to our scientists for advice, as do other countries in the region.
Consequently, our researchers are constantly travelling, adding to their own knowledge and sharing their expertise.
Herein lies a problem: despite Hong Kong's excellent work in viral research, the funding available for further work is far less than it should be. The nature of the threat, on our doorstep, to us and the world means it is short-sighted to keep funding at this relatively low level.
