A group of 12 specialists has been formed in Beijing to strengthen the fight against atypical pneumonia.

The disease, also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), had killed 53 people on the Chinese mainland by April 7.

The specialist group will provide technological support in the fields of prevention and treatment, research of the virus, pathology, traditional Chinese medicine, and disinfection, according to Wednesday's Beijing Daily.

The group consists of five academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and seven professors and  doctors, who are the leading experts in the fields of  infectious diseases, epidemics and respiratory diseases.

In addition, a hotline has been set up under the Beijing Disease Prevention and Control Center to provide around-the-clock advice for the public.

The numbers of the hotline are: 64274209 and 64212486.