No epidemics, so far, after a massive disinfection program in the earthquake zone. CCTV reporter Xie Zheng has been following one of the members of a disinfection team in Beichuan County and files this report.

No epidemics, so far, after a massive disinfection program in the earthquake zone.

Feng Shixian and his assistant are responsible for the area where the disinfection headquarters is based and a military hospital surrounded by houses. This may seem simple, but Feng must ensure the right amount of disinfectant is used and none is wasted. Off they go, and their destination is a makeshift toilet. Feng says it is not the smell of the toilet that’s the worst thing. Although he wears protective gear, the disinfectant is mostly chlorine, which burns his eyes, makes his nose run and gives him a sore throat. He says it feels like he has a bad cold.

Feng Shixian, leader of Henan Prov. Disinfection Team, said, "Our team arrived at Beichuan on May 15th, and we haven’t had a chance to take a break for the past month. We split our team of 13 people into two… four of us are responsible for the headquarters, while the other nine were parachuted into Yuli township from helicopters, as the roads are not open there."

The chemicals in every tank of disinfectant must be carefully calculated. For now, the most important task is to kill flies, mosquitoes and rats. If too little disinfectant is used, the pests will survive if too much is used, the lingering effect of the chemicals will pollute farmland.

The sprayers weigh between 12 and 35 kilograms when filled. But this heavy load is not the biggest trouble for the team members. Feng Shixian's team is from Henan province in central China and many of them are homesick. He does his best to make them feel better.

Feng Shixian said, "One way is to increase the workload, another is to talk to members from other disinfection teams. These are my ways to ease the anxiety and loneliness."

But there is not too much time for loneliness. Each team has to disinfect several villages everyday. And disinfecting is not their only task… they are also educating locals on the basics of sanitation, so that they will leave a lasting legacy of improved hygiene standards behind them.

(CCTV June 17, 2008)