The Ministry of Public Health spokesman announced Tuesday that
it is ceasing the issuance of daily SARS surveillance reports
because the latest outbreak had been controlled. The "zero report"
mechanism, which required local health authorities to deliver a
daily SARS report even if no cases are identified, was also
suspended.
However, monitoring of severe acute respiratory syndrome will
continue using the nationwide computer network through which all
mandatorily reported communicable diseases are monitored.
On April 22, Beijing reported its first SARS-related case of
this spring. By May 21, when Beijing's last SARS patient was
discharged from Ditan Hospital, China reported a total of nine SARS
cases: seven in Beijing and two in Anhui
Province.
No confirmed or suspected SARS cases were reported in other
places on the Chinese mainland.
During this outbreak, Beijing's seven SARS patients all
recovered from the disease. One Anhui patient died and the other
recovered.
On May 23, all 747 people in Beijing who had had close contact
with the patients were removed from isolation, marking the end of
the outbreak.
The spokesman also said that the ministry remains vigilant
despite ending the daily reports. It has directed local health
authorities to continue improving surveillance of pneumonia cases
that have no clear causes, strengthening law enforcement efforts
and setting up a long-term mechanism to prevent serious
communicable diseases.
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2004)