No epidemic outbreaks in NW China quake zone

BEIJING - No epidemic outbreaks or public health emergencies have been reported in the quake zone in Northwest China's Gansu province, the National Health and Family Planning Commission said Thursday.

A 6.6-magnitude quake jolted the border of Minxian and Zhangxian counties in the city of Dingxi at 7:45 am Monday, killing 95 people and injuring more than 1,000.

According to the commission, an expert team with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention was sent Thursday to the quake zone to guide vaccination work.

Meanwhile, epidemic prevention workers at central, province, city and county levels have arrived in the area to monitor infectious diseases, ensure the safety of food and drinking water as well as the overall health standards of resettlement sites.

Also on Thursday, Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said nearly 4,000 soldiers and armed police, along with three helicopters and a cargo transport plane, have been dispatched for rescue, resettlement and infrastructure repair.

According to Geng, troops had rescued 30 people from debris, transferred more than 7,500 locals and treated 2,840 injured people as of Wednesday 8 pm.