China has reported three more deaths and 30 more cases of the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, even as Chinese experts claimed a major breakthrough in locating the cause of the syndrome, which has claimed 84 lives and affected 2,353 people world-wide.

"Chinese experts have successfully separated a chlamydia-like agent from the bodies of five SARS victims and the agent can be basically confirmed as the prime culprit of the disease," Li Liming, Director of Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, was quoted by the government–owned China Daily.

The CDC claimed it was 'a great breakthrough' in locating the cause of atypical pneumonia or SARS. Since the outbreak of the epidemic in south China's Guangdong province, CDC experts have been conducting research to prove that the disease is corona virus.

The reported breakthrough follows a visit by five experts from the World Health Organisation to the Quangdong province for an on-the-spot investigation into patterns of transmission, clinical profiles, and the suspected causative agent of SARS.