Spitting ban to combat Sars

Guangzhou is one of the areas worst hit by the deadly virus

Officials in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou have sent 1,000 sanitary workers into the streets to stop people spitting, in an effort to curb the spread of Sars.

Individuals found spitting would be fined 50 Yuan ($6) and ordered to clean up the mess, the official Xinhua news agency said.

The BBC's Beijing correspondent Adam Brookes says this is a considerable sum for any but the rich.

The hygiene police in Guangzhou will also fine people who throw away cigarette butts or chewing gum or who urinate in public places.

SARS WORLDWIDE

Known death tolls:

World: 812

Mainland China: 348

Hong Kong: 298

Taiwan: 84

Singapore: 32

Canada: 38

Source: WHO/local authorities

Global update

The province of Guangdong, of which Guangzhou is the capital, has been badly hit by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, with more than 1,500 cases.

The number of infections continues to rise across China, with five new deaths reported on Sunday, bringing the nationwide toll to 240.

The World Health Organization now has teams in three provinces as it tries to gauge just how fast the virus is spreading.

Spokesmen for the WHO have praised China's recent efforts to contain Sars, but they say they still lack important information that would enable them to determine how the virus is moving through the Chinese population.

Popular habit

Officials in Guangzhou said the anti-spitting measures - which took effect on Saturday - were also aimed at helping local residents to cultivate good manners.

In the past, China has launched numerous campaigns to discourage people from spitting in public places.

But correspondents say the practice remains widespread, especially in cities with serious air pollution, where residents feel a need to clear their throats.

The outbreak of Sars has forced the Chinese authorities to take more urgent action, as the virus is believed to be spread mainly through air droplets.

In other developments:

• Researchers at the University of Hong Kong say they have found a way to prevent Sars from entering human cells, raising hopes that a treatment might be developed

• The University of California reverses a decision to ban students from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan from attending summer school.

  Canada has had no new reported cases since late April, and could be declared Sars-free as early as next week, say officials

• In Singapore, people entering public hospitals are to have their movements electronically tracked in an effort to curb the spread of the disease

• Hong Kong reports three new deaths from Sars, bringing the nationwide toll to 215.