The few hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) cases that occurred recently in China's quake-hit areas have been brought under control, according to Mao Qun'an, spokesman of the Ministry of Health.

"The Ministry of Health has required that HFMD cases must be reported since May 2 this year," said Mao. "Any HFMD case in the quake-hit areas will be reported immediately through our system."

Some relief workers had experienced rashes as a result of poor personal sanitary conditions. "However, things will improve, as we immediately delivered the necessary medicine to them," he said.

Up to now, there has been no epidemic or unexpected major public health incident in the quake areas, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2008)