Beijing should not lower its guard against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, said Acting Mayor Wang Qishan in Beijing Monday when meeting with Henk Bekedam, WHO representative in China.

The whole world has seen that the SARS epidemic in Beijing has been lowered to a very low level, but Beijing should remain alert, said Wang.

Beijing reported no new SARS cases and no new deaths from the disease from 10:00 a.m. June 1 to 10:00 a.m. June 2, according to the Ministry of Health.

The acting mayor said that the city should further improve its disease prevention and control system and be ready for any possible relapse of the SARS epidemic.

In addition, there is still much work to be done in epidemiological study, diagnosis, treatment and contact tracing, he said.

Wang said Beijing has drawn lessons from what happened in March and April and has implemented the measures of early discovery, early reporting, early isolation and early treatment.

Almost all the people in the city, including medical workers, officials and citizens, have acquired certain experience in the fight against SARS and people's sense of public hygiene has improved greatly, said Wang.

Wang said that with all the experience and prevention measures he is confident that Beijing is capable of dealing with any possible fluctuations of the SARS epidemic.

Bekedam expressed his firm affirmation of the recent work that Beijing has done in containing the disease.

He also emphasized that Beijing should continue the prevention and control measures, as just one single case could bring the epidemic back again.

A complete public health system is of key importance in eliminating the disease, he said.

Bekedam expressed his hope that Beijing could share its anti-SARS experience with the international community.

WHO expert Daniel Chin, who also attended the meeting, said Beijing is close to the target of containing SARS. He said the WHO team would continue to cooperate with Beijing municipal government in the epidemiological studies of SARS.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2003)