China detected 9,501 cases of measles and 2,341 cases of German measles in February, sharp rises of 68 and 134 percent respectively over the same period last year, the Ministry of Health reported on Monday.

Measles infection cases have been rising fast since the beginning of this year and some regions have witnessed an outbreak of the disease, the Ministry said, without giving any reasons.

Rabies continued to be the most deadly infectious disease in China in February, topping the list of most fatal diseases followed by tuberculosis, hepatitis B, AIDS and cerebrospinal meningitis.

A total of 432 people died from infectious diseases in February, similar to the total reported in January.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2007)