Two more cases of infection were reported in the pig-borne epidemic in southwest China's Sichuan Province as of Thursday noon, but there were no further deaths, according to the Ministry of Health's daily update.

The report did not give current figures for confirmed and suspected infections but based on previous numbers 206 are now infected, with the death toll remaining at 38.

The two cases reported since noon on Wednesday each first showed symptoms of Streptococcus suis II infection on July 28 and 31, said the ministry on its website, but it did not specify whether they were in previously affected areas or not.

Three people were discharged from hospital during the period leaving 141 still under medical care, 15 of whom are in a critical condition.

The first person was hospitalized on June 24 in Ziyang City and cases have since been identified in 32 counties of 10 cities in Sichuan, mainly in Ziyang, Jianyang, and Neijiang.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2005)