The incidence of measles from January to April in China this
year has hit a five-year record high, said the Chinese Ministry of
Health (MOH).
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According to a monthly report released by the MOH on Tuesday,
29,041 cases of measles were reported, causing 12 deaths. This was
a 157.27 percent increase from the same period last year and an
84.55 percent increase from March.
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The ministry urged local authorities to implement and step up
regular immunization and prevention procedures, particularly in
primary and middle schools in some areas of south China where a few
epidemics had previously occurred this year.
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Also according to Tuesday's report, tuberculosis (TB), rabies,
hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and cerebrospinal meningitis were the top
five deadly diseases, responsible for 84.59 percent of deaths from
disease.
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In addition, flu-related deaths last month were down 51.6 percent
year-on-year with 5,925 reported cases.
(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2005)