The province, which is home to a good portion of Beijing's "floating population" of migrant workers, has attracted the WHO's attention due to its growing numbers of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases in the past few weeks.

As of 10:00 a.m. Sunday, Hebei had reported 166 SARS cases, and eight fatalities.

James Maguire, a member of the WHO expert team inspecting the SARS prevention and treatment work in the province, entered Beihou village, 60 kilometers from the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang.

The village, with a population of about one thousand, has been isolated since May 1, when three villagers were diagnosed as suspect SARS patients.

During the 15-day isolation period, villagers were recommended to stay home and refrain from visiting neighbors, a local official said.

Walking through the quiet village, Maguire said he was impressed by how well the villagers were collaborating with the system. "It's their personal responsibility that makes the system work," he said.

A local official told Maguire that all the villagers' daily necessities during isolation were being taken care of by the county government free of charge. "Thus far, we have provided over3,000 kilograms of eggs to the village."

The official also showed Maguire the record detailing the amounts of food the local government had provided to the village, including vegetables, salt, oil, sugar and spices.

Noting that the wheat harvest was approaching, Maguire asked what would happen to the villagers' crops.

"That matter will be taken care of by the county agriculture department," answered one local official.

The official also told Maguire that a medical team would be visiting the village on a daily basis to handle any medical emergencies arising during the isolation period.

"To date, we have distributed 13,000 yuan worth of medicine and other materials such as masks and thermometers free of charge to the villagers," said the official.

"In addition, the staff from the epidemic prevention station disinfect the village once a day," said the official, adding that there is also a hot-line available to the villagers for psychological consultations.

At the end of the inspection, in response to a request for recommendations made by the local officials, Maguire said, "you really should be proud of your people, including medical staff, officials and villagers, for their collaboration and dedication."

The SARS inspection mission to Hebei Province is the fourth of its kind that the WHO has conducted in China, following those made to Guangdong, Beijing and Shanghai. It was also during this tour that the WHO team conducted its first field inspection of SARS monitoring and reporting networks in Chinese rural areas.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2003)