After a trying period of three months battling against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, Hong Kong was ultimately removed from the list of infected areas by the WHO on 23 June 2003. As we were struggling along our path against this epidemic, the disease unfolded its characteristics. It was a disease that would bring rapid progression to respiratory failure, it posed greatest threat to the health workers, the origin of its aetiological agent coronavirus was not firmly established, hypothesised to be of animal origin, there was no formalised standard way of treatment, no rapid method of diagnosis, and the disease was spreading rapidly internationally within Asia and to Europe and North America. After introducing vigorous control measures and with the strong commitment of the government and the support of the healthcare workers and the community, assisted by experts from the WHO, the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong was brought …