An analyst with the Chinese Ministry of Health (MOH) said here Saturday that the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic on the mainland is moving to a "sporadic mode".
Xu Dezhong, an expert with the MOH SARS analysis group, said China's mainland witnessed a 5-day period with less than 10 newly diagnosed cases per day since May 26 and only one or two provinces reported new diagnosed cases.
Only seven counties or districts reported suspect SARS cases, Xu said, indicating that the epidemic on the Chinese mainland was becoming sporadic.
But a 5-day observation period was needed to judge whether the disease had definitely developed into such a pattern, Xu said.
The "sporadic mode" was marked by low numbers of new cases, mostly unrelated.
Xu warned relevant departments to remain alert for a possible rebound or outbreak of the flu-like disease on a limited-scale.
(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2003)
