No epidemics have been reported in the regions struck by Monday's earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Gao Qiang, deputy health minister, told reporters here on Thursday.

Responding to a question from CCTV concerning diseases in the disaster area, Gao said: "We will try to achieve the goal of 'no big epidemic after a great disaster'."

"We have made careful plans for disease control and prevention in disaster areas and have sent a large group of medical workers to those areas to carry out the plans," said Gao.

"However, whether we achieve the goal of 'no big epidemic after a great disaster' will depend on the real work we do in those areas," he added.

Gao said they would step up the disinfection of drinking water and food to avoid diseases caused by contamination. More disinfection work would be targeted on certain kinds of virus and bacteria. People in those areas would also be given vaccine against some epidemics.

He said bodies of the dead would be handled properly as soon as possible to prevent harmful bacteria from growing.

"We should not add to the losses caused by natural disasters and let people suffer more just because we have not done our job well," said Gao, adding that the medical workers across the country will be mobilized for help in disaster-hit areas.

"We would not be able to face our country and our people in those areas, if the goal could not be achieved," he said.

He added that China will "never give up" rescuing people buried in ruins in the quake-hit areas.

"As long as there's a trace of hope, we'll make our utmost efforts and never give up."

The ministry's disaster relief personnel have timely reached all the quake-stricken areas where the roads had been cleared, according to him.

"As for the areas with blocked roads, we have utilized 90 helicopters to transfer disaster relief personnel day and night to these remote areas to carry out effective medical treatment."

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2008)