But that doesn't signal the end of our encounter with the deadly virus this season.

The province reported another suspected SARS infection on Wednesday.

Local epidemic-control authorities might well be over reacting, which we hope is true, as a result of heightened vigilance nationwide. And two isolated cases do not constitute a medical sufficiency for a broad mobilization call.

But the lingering mysteries surrounding the ailment are reasons for concern. Not only the disease itself, but why and how the latest infections took place remain largely unknown.

The prompt responses to the two cases showed that we have learned from last year's SARS outbreak.

Tracing the episode in the past week, it is important to note that while health authorities have been busy coping with the new cases, there's been no sign of public panic.

This is in stark contrast with last year's disorder at the initial stage, when rampant rumours led to panic buying.

The timely disclosure of information has assured the public.

Ever since this season's first SARS patient was hospitalized for high fever late last month, the public has had access to every step of the development, from the initial diagnosis result to whether it was a "suspected SARS case'' until people were told the man was a SARS patient.

Transparency breeds confidence.

The public calm backs up the claims by World Health Organization (WHO) officials that China is a safe place for travellers. The high-profile assurance to the world shows the country's efforts to prevent a relapse have been successful.

But with the traditional Spring Festival just two weeks away, the country is facing a more severe situation.

Millions of passengers travelling across the country during the holiday will make it extremely challenging to cut disease links.

Failure to nip the disease in the bud during last year's Spring Festival period cost authorities the best time to curb its spread.

Timely reaction could mean a world of difference.

We agree with the WHO that it is not necessary to suggest a change in our Spring Festival travel scheme. Still, precaution dictates we should prepare for less-than-desirable scenarios.

Beijing's strict passenger temperature monitoring is welcome. It discovered a passenger with high fever, a major SARS syndrome, on Wednesday night and placed him under further medical observation.

Guangzhou has worked out detailed procedures for response to medical and security emergencies during the Spring Festival travel peak.

Such vigilance will not be redundant until we can exclude with full certainty another SARS onslaught.

 (China Daily )