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The SARS epidemic has passed its peak worldwide, but the threat of resurgence remains, World Health Organization officials in China said Thursday.
Mainland China, where officials say severe acute respiratory syndrome first emerged in November, reported no new probable cases and two deaths, both in the northern province of Shanxi.
It was the 11th consecutive day in which China has recorded fewer than 10 new cases and the third day this week.
"Now we dare to say that the SARS epidemic is over its peak period both globally and in China," said Henk Bekedam, chief representative for WHO in China.
"This shows SARS can be contained -- this, despite the fact that we still have no vaccine or cure or diagnostic test."
Bekedam credits China for adopting anti-SARS measures, including early detection and isolation, tracing possible contacts and informing and educating the public about the virus.
Unlike their colleagues in the Philippines and Switzerland, who recently have been critical of China's lack of cooperation and data sharing, the WHO experts in Beijing credited the country for "generally openness from officials" and "excellent cooperation."
But the officials called for vigilance to avoid a resurgence of outbreaks such as happened in Toronto, Ontario, where the disease re-emerged after an initial outbreak subsided.
"The challenge now is to eliminate it as a public threat," Bekedam said. "The surveillance system needs to be beefed up to be more sensitive and action-oriented so we can get all SARS cases."
Bekedam said WHO is considering lifting a travel advisory that recommends the cancellation of all nonessential travel to the SARS-affected areas of Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia in northern China.
But he said WHO needs more information concerning the regions from China's health officials before a decision would be made.
A team of WHO experts will visit Tianjin, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia this week.
The number of people infected in China remains at 5,329, with more than 330 deaths, according to WHO. Worldwide, 8,402 probable cases of SARS have been reported, with 772 deaths, WHO says.
Content provided by ArmMed Media
Revision date: 12 December 2007
Last revised by Amalia K. Gagarina, M.S., R.D.
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