Xinjiang remains polio-free

WHO confirms region is clear of disease after last year's outbreak

China's disease control authorities will continue supporting the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to keep the region polio-free, a senior official has said.

Wang Yu, who heads the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, made the promise at a media event on Tuesday in Beijing to mark Xinjiang's continued polio-free status, which was confirmed by the World Health Organization at the end of last month.

Last year, there was an outbreak of polio in Xinjiang that entered the region from abroad. The 21 cases detected between August and October 2011 resulted in one death, and 17 people, including eight children, were paralyzed, according to the Ministry of Health.

We Recommend:
Photos: Most touching loves in 2012	Snow brings joy to severe winter	Make wishes as end of Mayan calendar nears
Nanjing Massacre victims remembered	China's weekly story (2012.12.10-12.15)	Tell the whole world how I love you
Residential building collapses in Ningbo	Day to remember as couples tie the knot	Chinese space probe flies by asteroid