The disease has spread to nine cities in Sichuan. A few days ago, Mr. Gao Qiang, Minister of Public Health, said to journalists "I guaranttee that the disease in under control if you trust my personality". Mr. Gao used simliar words during SARS, he said "I can responsibly say the disease is under control". Mr. Gao was vice-minister of Public Health in 2003.

The official date of first case of Sichuan disease ( "Streptococcosis Suis" ) is June 24, the government has been criticized for delaying release the information to public by a month. The Sichuan government fired a few directors of ZiYang Hospital where the disease was first found, blaming them did not report to upper level government until July 11. The governemnt did not explain why it continued to delay releasing the information to public until July 25. (boxun.com)

The tight restriction to journalists and the few words of news release on the incident may explain why it is hard for the world to trust the official numbers.

At the same time, WHO said that Sichuan disease may not be "single type of bacteria", it may be another type of virus or bacteria, it may also related to a number of factors such as pollution.

From begining, some people in China blame the disease to food to feed pigs. The feed used is strange, it will make pig fully grown in three months, normally it takes 9-10 months to fully grow. Pollution is also frequently mentioned as the source of the disease among public, the river and underground water is polluted very badly, the river kills almost all lives in the water. If any of above is the source, it will be very sensitive: 1) Pig feed is the interest of business people who are backed up by officials; 2) Pollution is a taboo too as it may frighten investors away, or the factories may face to be closed. (boxun.com)