No infectious diseases cases have been reported in the earthquake-hit areas so far, thanks to timely prevention measures taken by local public health departments after Monday's quake, the MOH source noted.

Disinfection and disease control experts at the Beijing-based Chinese Center for Disease Prevention and Control will advise local medical workers on disease prevention.

A strong earthquake struck several counties in the western part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China on Monday morning, leaving at least 266 people dead and over 4,000 injured. Most injuries involved fractures and trauma.

The MOH has prepared a manual for medical treatment and disease control under such emergency situations as destructive earthquakes.

More than 20 medical teams rushed to the disaster areas soon after the quake, providing first aid and surgical services round the clock, the source said. Disease prevention staff also brought tetanus vaccines and disinfectants to sterilize drinking water.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2003)