Shanghai will not adopt HIV testing by mail, despite the success of such a program in Dalian,swhereshealth officials are calling on more Chinese cities to initiate the service.

　　The Shanghai Disease Prevention and Control Center yesterday ruled out the possibility of adopting the program, saying it isn't necessary in the city and questioning its safety.

　　Health officials in Dalian launched the program last December to encourage more people to undergo HIV testing without the social fears associated with taking an examination at a hospital.

　　Those taking the test can buy a special kit containing a syringe, test paper and disinfected cotton swap. After a small amount of blood is drawn from a fingertip, it is placed on the test paper.

　　It is then sealed in an envelope and mailed to the Dalian Disease Prevention and Control Center. Test result are available in three days.

　　Officials in Dalian say they have received 102 tests so far, of which one proved positive for HIV.

　　While doctors wouldn't reveal any information about the person who tested positive, they did say he or she is now receiving medical treatment for the virus.

　　Officials in Dalian say the test has been well received by city residents, who say it is convenient and prevents embarrassment.

　　Health authorities in Shanghai, however, are unimpressed.

　　"A professional check at the hospital is still the best way to solve worries about HIV infection," said Xu Weimin, director of the Shanghai AIDS Clinical Research Center.

　　Xu worries that hospitals would have trouble contacting those found to be HIV positive if the mail-in program was used in the city.

　　"Moreover, local hospitals already allow people to undergo HIV testing and receive treatment anonymously," added Xu.

　　Some doctors argue that the general public isn't trained to perform such a test and may make mistakes when drawing blood, leading to infections.

　　They also worry that those taking won't pay attention to expiration dates.

　　If old tests are used, they are virtually worthless, officials say.

　　As of last October, the official number of those carrying HIV virus in the city was 685.

　　Some experts have estimated that there are more than 1 million HIV carriers and patients in China.