State funds campaign to halt spread of panda distemper

Authorities stressed on Wednesday the importance of treatment and disease prevention for pandas after two of the animals died of a virus related to human measles.

Funds have been allocated to treat pandas sick with distemper and prevent the disease from spreading, according to the State Forestry Administration. It did not give specifics about the funds.

Zhao Shucong, head of the administration, urged that effective measures be put into place to save sick pandas and guard against the spread of the disease.