Epidemics emerge as major threat in China's quake zone: report

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — Infectious diseases are emerging as a major threat in China's quake zone, with injured and traumatised victims most at risk, the health minister was quoted as saying Wednesday.

As summer approaches, the warmer weather creates optimal conditions for epidemics, with survivors of the massive May 12 quake particularly vulnerable to disease, the China Daily reported, citing Health Minister Chen Zhu.

"Simply experiencing such a huge trauma weakens people's immune systems. For those in more vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children, the risk of infection is even greater," Chen said, according to the paper.

Although no major disease outbreak has occurred, the paper warned that health workers were facing an "uphill battle," with medical...