Schools in China have been ordered to improve sanitary conditions and upgrade their disease prevention efforts as contagious illnesses have reportedly affected about 490 students over the last three months.

 

The Ministry of Education issued a health alert circular on Tuesday requesting schools to take better prevention measures that can effectively stop the spread of contagious diseases among students.

 

The ministry said local education authorities and school heads are responsible for the recent incidents which were caused by the lack of preventative measures.

 

The incidents included Hepatitis-A infection cases in Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Chongqing and Guangxi. These involved more than 350 students.

 

The ministry has ordered a disease prevention overhaul nationwide.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2007)