(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-16 18:52

BEIJING  -- The People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is to publish a commentary on Friday warning southwest China's quake-hit areas to be on high alert against disease outbreaks and urging measures to ensure social stability.

Constant aftershocks had rocked the area since the quake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale on Monday, putting the infrastructure at risk; heavy rains could lead to more landslides and debris flow; and disease might follow, which could worsen conditions in the quake zone, the commentary says.

"We have to be highly alert against the potential dangers and beef up prevention measures to avoid serial disasters that threaten people's lives and property," it says, adding that more sanitation measures should be taken to curb disease risks.

More needed to be done to distribute food, drinking water, clothes, quilts and tents, the commentary says.

It also urges more publicity measures to promote public calm and ensure social stability in the devastated areas.

"We have to try every means, remove all difficulties and break a way through so more rescue personnel can reach the quake-hit areas," it says.