The Chinese Ministry of Health on Friday urged localities to strengthen their reporting of diseases and public health emergencies so that epidemics caused by natural disasters can be prevented.

Regions affected by natural disasters must make daily reports and "zero case" reports to the ministry, according to a statement.

Epidemics and public health emergencies must be reported without delay, the statement notes.

Local health authorities must closely monitor natural disasters and act quickly to prevent threats to public health. They must also maintain regular contact with departments of civil affairs.

People able to report epidemics and signs of epidemics should be positioned at grassroots level such as hospitals, community health centers, centers for disease control and prevention and in supervisory and law-enforcing divisions.

People quick to report epidemics or detect factors leading to public health incidents should be commended, the ministry said.

Local health authorities should scan the news and collect relevant information from the internet, making reports as soon as possible.

Training courses organized by provincial health departments on how to use the national public health emergency and epidemic control reporting system must be completed by October 1, the ministry said.

Nearly 20 provinces and regions have been hit by natural disasters such as typhoons, heavy rains and flooding since May, suffering deaths, injuries and significant economic losses.

Source: Xinhua