The Chinese Ministry of Health (MOH) reiterated in Beijing Monday that though it no longer issues daily public information as it did during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) period, the daily report mechanism has never suspended.

Currently, China exercises a "zero report" mechanism over SARS, which started on April 20, and requires local health departments to report the epidemic situation every day even when there are no SARS cases, said an official with the MOH Information Office.

"We can allow zero reports, but can't allow no report," he said.

He confirmed once again that no single suspected SARS case has reappeared in the mainland of China since Aug. 16 this year, when the last two SARS patients were discharged from hospital.

Recently, there have been rumors that SARS cases have shown up again in Beijing. The Beijing Office of the World Health Organization has also sent a letter to the MOH, requesting clarification of the situation.

The MOH official said that confirmation with the Beijing municipal health departments show that no single suspected or confirmed SARS case has found in any Beijing hospital so far.

As to the reason behind such rumors, the official explained that autumn is the season with high respiratory infectious diseases, therefore people are extremely sensitive to symptoms like fever and cough, both typical SARS symptoms. However, he pointed out, high sensitivity would help prevent the recurrence of the disease.

Also, drawing on the lessons of spring, health departments at all levels have been asked to formulate emergency plans in advance in order to prevent the recurrence of the disease, which may also have aroused some misunderstanding among the public.

The MOH has mapped out a working plan for the prevention of SARS for 2003 and 2004. If the epidemic reappears, the ministry and local health departments will release relevant and timely information to the public in accordance with relative laws on the prevention of infectious diseases and related regulations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2003)