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 Tuesday.

In the ministry's April epidemic report, 29,041 cases of measles were reported, causing 12 deaths. This was a 157.27 percent increase from the same period last year and a 84.55 percent increase from March.

The ministry urged the localities to strengthen regular immunization and prevention, particularly in primary and middle schools where a few epidemics have occurred this year.

Also according to the ministry 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.

Deaths from the flu epidemic last month were down 51.6 percent year-on-year with 5,925 reported cases. However, some flu epidemic have broke out in primary and middle schools in southern China this year, where more preventive measures need to be taken, said the ministry.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2005)