China is to cancel the serological test of hepatitis B in physical examinations, currently a requirement for students to enter schools or for employees to join new companies, an official from China's Health Ministry has said.

Deng Haihua, deputy director of the general office of the ministry, said Saturday a guidance was being drafted for the cancellation.

Hepatitis B was a blood infectious disease that would not be transmitted in daily lives through air and food, Deng said at a press conference.

"A hepatitis B disease carrier does no harm to others' health and the new practice will not increase the disease transmission," Deng added.

Though the hepatitis B test was to be canceled, the physical examination of liver functions would remain, Deng said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2009)