China's Ministry of Health has sent six top-level specialists on epidemic prevention to mudslide-hit county of Zhouqu as a part of the latest efforts to prevent the outbreak of a medical epidemic.

Ministry spokesman Deng Haihua told a press conference Tuesday that doctors are treating patients and doing their best to perform surgery on the seriously injured.

Figures from the ministry show that, currently, 711 medical workers are working in Zhouqu.

The area is being sterilized and corpses are being properly handled. Drinking water and food safety are also being ensured.

According to a statement released late Tuesday by the health ministry, some 138,000 square meters in the mudslide-hit county, including three drinking water sources, had been sterilized.

Eleven local catering establishments are also under supervision.

No major epidemic situation has been reported so far, said the statement.

The ministry and the military and civil aviation authorities are arranging for the transfer of the injured out of Zhouqu to places with better-equipped hospitals in bigger cities such as Lanzhou and Tianshui, Deng added.

Local medical workers have treated 304 injured and sick as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. One of them died Monday after treatment failed and 22 are still receiving care in the county hospital.

The death toll from the massive rain-triggered mudslide Sunday in Zhouqu in northwest China's Gansu Province has risen to 702, with 1,042 others still missing, as of Tuesday afternoon.

A field medical team was set up in Zhouqu Sunday afternoon hours after the mudslide, Deng said. The team consists of four sub teams for treatment, epidemic prevention, liaison, and collection of supplies, respectively.

Earlier reports said the health ministry had sent 21 medical teams with 363 members to the county.

Meanwhile, the State Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday it has ordered enhanced supervision for the safety of drugs, medical equipment and food in Zhouqu.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments