China's Ministry of Health announced on September 8 that it has ordered medical institutions to be on alert against the multi-drug resistant bacteria NDM-1. No cases have yet been reported in China.

The ministry has ordered all medical institutions across China to strictly follow basic principles regarding clinical use of antibiotic drugs, and administer such drugs in a prudent manner.

The ministry has stepped up supervision of medical institutions on their drug use and planned to set up a national center to monitor clinical drug use in hospitals and clinics.

The ministry also ordered medical institutions to closely monitor patients who have weak immunity and patients in critical condition for early detection of the bacteria.

Once a case is detected, it must be reported to the ministry's surveillance network on drug-resistant bacteria within 12 hours.