The Ministry of Health today released information on public health emergencies around the country in the month of October 2006.

A total of 263 public health emergencies (excluding non-graded ones) were reported nationwide (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), including 18 Grade III (where more than five deaths or serious injury cases occur) and 245 Grade IV (more than one).

A total of 8,594 cases of infection were reported, including 37 deaths.

With the incidence of respiratory diseases rising in the approach to winter, the ministry ordered local health authorities to enhance inspecting and reporting for cases of H5N1 avian influenza and SARS, as well as flu and pneumonia cases with unknown causes; to identify outbreaks and the spread of epidemics in time and to adopt effective control measures.

The ministry also called on public dining facilities in schools to strengthen surveillance on food safety in order to reduce and prevent food poisoning incidents.

(Information Office, Ministry of Health, November 13, 2006)