Social factors, especially measures taken by the government, are decisive in reducing SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) cases, said a senior Beijing official Saturday.

Beijing municipal publicity head Cai Fuchao attributed the decline of SARS cases in the city to two kinds of factors, social ones and natural ones.

The measures taken by the city government, an important part of the social factors, proved correct, effective and timely, Cai said.

Those measures include the establishment of SARS-only hospitals and fever clinics, protection of medical workers, mobilization of the public and strengthening of surveillance work.

The changes in the public's life style related to changes in the weather, such as keeping windows open, increasing out-door activities and avoiding crowded public places also helped the decline of the flu-like disease, Cai said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2003)