China is capable of preventing and controlling a resurgence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), vice premier and health minister Wu Yi told a national conference Monday.

So far China has not found any new SARS cases and preventative efforts have been made across the country, according to Wu, who heads the National Headquarters on SARS Control.

She called for close monitoring, further research and improvements to the government crisis-control mechanism in order to avoid a resurgence of the fatal disease.

The central government has sent 16 teams to inspect the preventative work by local governments in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Local governments have made substantial efforts to prevent the disease, Wu said.

The official urged local governments and health departments to maintain high alert to prevent any recurrence of the disease, and said any SARS case or suspected case should be directly reported to the ministry immediately.

Supervisory and preventative measures in SARS designated hospitals and fever clinics of ordinary hospitals should be maintained, said Wu. As well, medical equipment and technical facilities in rural hospitals need to be upgraded and medical staff must receive better training in SARS prevention.

She also urged speeding up the establishment of a nationwide disease prevention and reporting system.

(China Daily November 4, 2003)