Sars 'a long-term epidemic'

China has more than 3,300 cases

The outbreak of the Sars virus in China is a grave and long-term problem, the country's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has said.

His comments came after a special meeting of regional leaders in the Thai capital, Bangkok, which agreed measures to combat the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the spread of the disease has peaked in all affected countries but China, which has been worst-hit and has more than 3,300 cases.

Thousands remain under quarantine at hospitals in the capital Beijing. On Tuesday China reported nine new Sars deaths - bringing its total to 147 - and 202 new cases.

Hong Kong reported 12 more deaths and 15 new cases of the disease.

"China's situation in terms of Sars is still grave," Mr Wen told a news conference.

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

"There is a surge in the number of reported cases. There is a tendency of the epidemic spreading to other regions.

"There is a need for us to recognise the fact that Sars is going to be a long-term epidemic."

But he expressed confidence that the disease could ultimately be controlled.

China has received international criticism for its handling of Sars, which is believed to have taken hold in the country last November but was concealed by local government officials.

Mr Wen acknowledged that the initial response of the Chinese Government to the outbreak was inadequate, and said his government would deal severely with any official who tried to cover up information about the disease.

Border screening

The meeting in Bangkok brought together China, Japan and the countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean).

Mr Wen backed a series of practical measures agreed at the meeting, including sharing information, setting up a regional Sars fighting fund, and screening all travellers at border crossings.

The Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, said he and his his fellow leaders had been reassured by China's show of determination in its fight against the virus.

The BBC's Jonathan Kent, at the meeting, says that the leaders vowed to keep their borders open, mindful of the economic impact of the outbreak.

Asia's economy has been badly hit by fears over Sars, with economists warning of a drop in growth rates this year and hotels and airlines facing a slump in customers.

In other developments:

• Nine more Beijing hospitals are assigned to victims of the virus, amid reports of shortages of vital equipment such as face masks and gloves

• In Hong Kong, a team from the WHO begins investigating the possible role of environmental factors, such as leaking sewage pipes, in the spread of the disease there

• The Japanese embassy in Beijing advises all 3,000 Japanese students to leave the city and return home

• South Korea and New Zealand report their first probable Sars cases

• Reports from Russia say that hundreds of Chinese and Vietnamese vegetable growers have not been admitted to the central Chelyabinsk region amid worries over Sars.