Fight to prevent plague outbreak

YUSHU, Qinghai - The Ministry of Health has called for measures stepped up to be in the earthquake zone in Northwest China's Qinghai province to prevent an outbreak of marmot plague after Himalayan marmots were detected in the area.

The marmots were found in the Horse Racing Ground, a temporary settlement for quake survivors in Gyegu township of the Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Qinghai, the ministry said.

So far no outbreak of major epidemics, including the plague, has been reported, but epidemiological experts said the challenges in averting and controlling an outbreak of marmot plague in the quake-hit area were considerable.