China denies WHO claims on SARS

CHINA, accused by the World Health Organisation of dramatically under-reporting SARS cases in Beijing, dug in its heels yesterday, refusing to revise its toll and insisting it is dealing responsibly with the outbreak.

But there was more evidence not all cases in China were being reported to the WHO and according to a fresh report the disease was spreading.

The government declared one infection in the remote western region of Ningxia, but a doctor there said there were eight. Hong Kong, the second most affected area after mainland China, said the virus had killed four more people and infected 29 others, while Australia reported its first three probable cases and India confirmed its first infection.