WHO seeks full probe on spread of virus
World Health Organisation experts yesterday urged the central government to allow a full investigation into the spread of atypical pneumonia in Beijing and Shanghai.
The move followed claims that death tolls and infection rates are substantially higher than the official figures.
A military doctor has gone public with claims that PLA hospitals in the capital have many more cases, while WHO officials said they also had information suggesting official figures were incorrect.
WHO's China representative Henk Bekedam said Vice-Premier Wu Yi and Ministry of Health officials confirmed they would look into the claims.
During meetings with Chinese officials, the five WHO experts raised claims from the overseas media and doctors that the Chinese capital's official Sars caseload of 19, including four dead, was just a fraction of the truth.
'What we have done is share these major rumours with the government. We are eager to know what's happening,' Mr Bekedam said. 'The ministry and the vice-premier said they'd be following up this one.'
