On expectations of cooler weather and a lack of vigilance, about one-third of Chinese people are concerned about a resurgence in SARS.

According to a recent national survey, 30 per cent of respondents are worried that the potentially fatal disease will return later this year.

Conducted by the Horizon Research Group, the survey covered 3,207 respondents via interviews in the country's major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shenyang, Qingdao and Nanjing.

Most of the respondents fearful of the disease said they cannot feel totally relaxed as there is presently no SARS vaccine available.

A more reliable system incorporating governments, public organizations and volunteers should be put in place to prevent and control any possible crisis in the future, said Shen Min, who helped conduct the survey.

The ability of the country's non-government organizations to manage such a threat and the awareness of citizens still need to be upgraded, Shen said.

Despite some fears, an overwhelming majority of respondents said they did not expect a SARS outbreak during winter.

The optimism of about 70 per cent of respondents mainly comes from the effectiveness of the government in handling the outbreak that struck earlier in the year and that fact that many more people are now living healthier lifestyles.

More than 46 per cent of respondents said they feel safe because they appreciate government measures in fighting the disease.

In southern China, Hong Kong residents voiced concerns over the possible return of SARS.

At a press conference yesterday, Sian Griffiths, co-chairman of the Hong Kong SARS expert committee, said due to uncertainty about whether or not SARS is gone for good and the possibility of new diseases emerging at any time, personal hygiene messages need to be embedded in the culture, particularly in children.

Griffiths urged the media to drive home the need for good personal and environmental hygiene.

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