No new or unknown viruses have been found in the country's self-proclaimed "HIV-Negative AIDS" group and the cause of their AIDS-like symptoms had yet to be determined, according to Deng Haihua, the Ministry of Health (MOH) spokesman.

The statement came after tests by domestic and overseas facilities, Deng said.

The "HIV-Negative AIDS patients" said they had displayed symptoms similar to those of AIDS, such as swollen lymph nodes, subcutaneous bleeding, joint pain, and loss of weight.

They termed it "HIV-Negative AIDS," thinking they might have been suffering from a mutation of the AIDS virus or a new unknown virus.