China has begun animal experiments in an effort to determine the source of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), according to a briefing on SARS prevention and treatment held in Beijing Thursday.

After conducting case studies, Chinese scientists have strong evidence to prove that it is a great possibility that SARS patients are attacked by a chlamydia agent or a corolla- virus-like agent, or even co-infected by the two, said Hong Tao, chief expert of the Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention under China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chinese experts are carrying out experiments on animals to verify the conclusion, said Hong, who is also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Determining the origins of any virus is a hard and time-consuming work that can not be completed in one day, and that is also true for identifying the SARS source, said Hong.

China pursues a policy of open cooperation with experts worldwide to fight against the disease, Hong added.

Official statistics show that China has reported 1,290 SARS cases, most of which were detected in southern Guangdong Province, with 22 reported in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2003)