Big steps taken to keep out cholera, dengue fever
( 2002-07-31 09:41 ) (1 )

China's State General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine is taking measures to keep cholera and dengue fever out of the country after an outbreak of the two diseases in Burundi and Honduras.

On July 19, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a cholera epidemic in Burundi, where 217 cases of infections were reported from June 17 to July 15. Of those, two have died.

WHO also reported on the same day an outbreak of dengue fever in Honduras. By June 29, a total of 3,993 people were reportedly infected. Eight of them have died.

Cholera causes severe dehydration and spreads extremely rapidly among large populations if preventive measures are not quickly carried out.

Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headaches, rashes and pain in the bones, joints and muscles.

The administration issued two statements last week on ways to prevent the two diseases from infiltrating into China.

When crossing the border into China, tourists from Burundi and Honduras are required to report to the exit-entry inspection and quarantine departments if they have symptoms of cholera, which include vomiting and diarrhoea, or dengue fever, the statement said.

Such tourists will be put under the watch of inspection and quarantine departments and medical staff.

Inspection and quarantine staff should conduct thorough examinations of vehicles, cargoes, containers and parcels from Burundi and, if necessary, sterilization measures.

Aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, drinks and other kinds of food from Burundi must go through the inspection and quarantine process before being unloaded.

Vehicles and containers from Honduras should be inspected for mosquitoes before entering China. Not a single living mosquito should be allowed into China, the statement said.

The exit-entry inspection and quarantine departments and health centres will provide information on the epidemic and preventive measures to those going to the two countries.

The statement is the latest issued by the administration to help prevent infectious diseases from sneaking into China.