A week has passed since the 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit, ravaging southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12. As the rescue work continues, handling victims' bodies and epidemic prevention will now be given top priority.

Epidemic prevention work at Hongbai Town in Shifang City, Sichuan faces massive challenges, according to a report sent back by Cheng Shengzhong, a journalist from china.org.cn. Experts have warned that epidemic prevention should get priority after the disaster. But for whatever reasons, victims' bodies in Hongbai Town haven't yet been dealt with properly. The air is rancid with the smell of decomposing flesh.

The head of Zhuxi village in Hongbai is very concerned about the current situation. "For the time being, infectious disease is more terrible than hunger," he said.

Sources have revealed that the department of epidemic prevention is now addressing attention to Hongbai Town. Medical supplies have been distributed and the Navy General Hospital has taken appropriate measures. Trucks are spraying anti-epidemic fumigants around the town.

Medical personnels spray disinfector on rescuers who just comes back from the quake-hit area at their station in Beichuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on May 17, 2008.

A medical personnel of the national earthquake emergency relief team sprays disinfector on a search dog at their station in Beichuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on May 17, 2008

(China.org.cn translated by Xiang Bin, May19, 2008)