World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in China Henk Bekedam on Friday praised the prevention and control work on SARS carried out by the Beijing municipal government.

Bekedam said Beijing was a good example of how co-operation between the United Nations specialist agency and local government ought to be conducted.

"The figures are clearly going down, and it proves that the measures by the government are successful,'' Bekedam told reporters on Friday.

The number of new SARS cases in Beijing every day has now dropped to one digit from over 100 in late April. That figure was six, with five from suspected cases in the 24 hours as of 10 am on Friday.

Bekedam highlighted the danger of further outbreaks occurring if rapid diagnosis and isolation measures are not taken by the relevant authorities.

"For example, in Canada, only one patient is misdiagnosed, and there are again 30 more patients in very short time,'' he said.

"At the same time, I do believe Beijing is prepared... Beijing now knows what to do with SARS,'' Bekedam said, adding: "I should congratulate the Beijing authorities for that.''

Referring to earlier criticisms of the handling of the disease outbreak, Bekedam said: "Although the co-operation had a very difficult start in April, we highly appreciate the Beijing authorities as they are open and clear-minded, as well as working hard.'' Bekedam said he has been impressed with Beijing's responsible and active response in combating the disease.

"I have had some discussions with the Beijing authorities about some technical issues like classifying patients and the discussion is still going on,'' he told reporters.

Bekedam said it was most important for the location of new cases to be properly identified in order to allay public fears.

Experts from Shenzhen and Hong Kong last week announced the finding of a SARS-like coronavirus in masked palm civets, a raccoon-like mammal, as a possible precursor to the human SARS coronavirus.

When asked by China Daily to comment on that finding, Bekedam said: "If we found it is in the civet, I think it is fine.

"But what is more important is that we need to do research over a far more broader range of animals,'' he said.

He further illustrated that the research should be conducted not only in China, but in conjunction with the UN.

"Thus when the result comes up, everyone will accept it,'' he said.

During Friday's interview, Bekedam also said it would require some time for the WHO to lift its travel advisory warning in respect of Beijing.

(China Daily May 31, 2003)