 |
|
| China tightens SARS prevention in rural areas |
| CCTV.COM 2003-05-13 09:05:57 |
|
At present, most of China's SARS cases are found in major cities. But in the countryside, where medical conditions are poor, prevention is a great challenge. Keeping SARS out of rural China is one of the government's top priorities.
Knowledge is power and distributing brochures is part of the campaign against SARS in rural China.
The government has sent thousands of teams to patrol the countryside. Most of the farmers have learned about the SARS situation and prevention measures through educational programs and the media. Though their SARS－fighting knowledge varies from region to region, most farmers seem to be on high alert against the outbreak of the epidemic.
"We've learned a lot from our local medical staff about SARS prevention. They give us medicine and have us wash our hands often," said a farmer from Hebei Province.
"We open windows every morning, and bathe every day," said another farmer.
Doctors say migrant workers returning home pose the greatest threat to rural areas. In agricultural zones such as Shandong province in the east, and Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in Northeast China, there's a growing influx of returning migrant workers. They're coming home for the spring and summer sowing season. This has created problems for their hometowns.
"Due to the weaknesses of the rural medical system, it would be a dangerous situation if the disease were to spread to the countryside," said Liu Jian, official with China SARS Prevention & Treatment Center.
As such, many local governments have asked farmers working in the cities not to return. They've sent letters to migrant workers to assure them help will be given to their families to finish sowing. Returned transient workers and outside visitors must report to local authorities. They may also face tightened quarantine when they reach home.
"I was put in quarantine shortly after I returned home. I have to check my body temperature every day," said a migrant worker of Henan Province.
Most villages have set up road blocks, conducting medical checks and disinfecting vehicles. Those with temperatures higher than 38 degrees Celsius are immediately taken to the local clinic for a complete checkup.
"We hope that through all these strict measures, SARS can be effectively held back from the rural areas. We're trying our best to prevent the spread of the disease in these areas," said Xiao Donglou, deputy－director of Ministry of Public Health.
The Chinese government's efforts to prevent the spread of the virus to the rural areas have so far proved effective. SARS is now confined to major cities. But many doctors warn that keeping the epidemic out of the countryside will be a long and tough campaign.
|
|
Editor: Han Ling CCTV.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
