Shanghai has been successful so far in containing the severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, with the city of 16 million reporting only two confirmed cases, a team of World Health Organization experts said Friday after concluding a five-day inspection of Shanghai.
They noted that there was no intentional cover-up or underreporting of cases of SARS.
James Maguire, a contagious disease expert, made the remark at a press conference as the WHO team wraps up its five-day investigation in Shanghai.
He also commended the municipal government for its sincere and extensive cooperation.
During their Shanghai stay, the team visited ten medical facilities and a research center for disease prevention and control. They had "substantive discussions" with government officials and medical personnel, as well as SARS patients.
Latest reports show Shanghai has two confirmed and 18 suspected SARS cases.
The WHO team say Shanghai's success in containing SARS should be attributed to the fact that Shanghai has a good public health system and set up an effective system of surveillance, prevention and reporting.
(China Radio International April 26, 2003)
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