The Health Ministry said on Tuesday that there had been an increase in symptoms such as diarrhea and fever in tremor-affected areas, but no major epidemic or medical emergencies were found. The ministry announced an emergency plan to inoculate the vulnerable population against epidemics such as hepatitis A and encephalitis B.

Two days after the earthquake on May 12th, the PLA Disease Prevention and Control Center began dispatching specialists to Sichuan, especially to some of the worst hit areas, including Yingxiu and Wenchuan.

Together with the experts, two field disease-prevention vehicles arrived in the quake-hit areas. Spraying like this has been carried out every day since the temporary shelters were set up.

Two days after the earthquake on May 12th, the PLA Disease Prevention and Control Center began dispatching specialists to Sichuan, especially to some of the worst hit areas, including Yingxiu and Wenchuan.

Spearheaded by two academics from the Scientific Academy of China, the team included more than 20 established specialists ranging from epidemiology to disinfection and water safety.

He Fuchu, deputy chief of PLA Disease Prevention & Control Center,said, "Our team is full of experience in this field and played key roles in previous disasters, such as the Tangshan earthquake, the SARS crisis and the outbreaks of bird flu. We have enough confidence to complete this task."

China is stepping up its efforts to strengthen epidemic prevention. Nearly 150,000 medical workers from 31 provinces have been sent to every township and village in the quake zone to vaccinate the local people, disinfect disaster sites, and monitor for signs of epidemics.

(CCTV May 28, 2008)