The incidence of measles from January to April in China this year has hit a five-year record high, said the Chinese Ministry of Health (MOH).
??
According to a monthly report released by the MOH on Tuesday, 29,041 cases of measles were reported, causing 12 deaths. This was a 157.27 percent increase from the same period last year and an 84.55 percent increase from March.
?
The ministry urged local authorities to implement and step up regular immunization and prevention procedures, particularly in primary and middle schools in some areas of south China where a few epidemics had previously occurred this year.
??
Also according to Tuesday's report, tuberculosis (TB), rabies, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and cerebrospinal meningitis were the top five deadly diseases, responsible for 84.59 percent of deaths from disease.
??
In addition, flu-related deaths last month were down 51.6 percent year-on-year with 5,925 reported cases.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2005)