All SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) viruses and infected human specimen should be kept under strict control to ensure the safety of research labs and personnel, said the Ministry of Health in a circular issued Thursday.

The ministry urged all medical units concerned across the country to send the viruses and specimen to designated places for storage, saying violators would be punished according to law, if serious consequences arise.

Medical units must report to relevant authorities and obtain their approval before conducting any research on the disease. Labs that keep the viruses and specimen should abide by safety regulations and take measures to ensure safety, said the circular.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2003)