China's Health Ministry urged local health authorities Tuesday to be vigilant for respiratory diseases in the spring.

The ministry said spring is the peak for respiratory diseases and order local health departments to enhance monitoring, prevention and control measures. It also called on the public to be aware of the danger and improve self protection.

China reported no cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or human infection of avian influenza since February this year. But the ministry said measles, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, mumps are on the increase compared with last year.

According to the Health Ministry, China reported 7,240 cases of measles in February, up 151.47 percent on a year-on-year basis.

Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis grew 8.44 percent year-on-year to 424 cases in February and mumps rose 104.99 percent to 13,517 cases. 

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2005)