The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China has issued an emergency notice, asking concerned departments in China to prevent the cholera epidemic in Vietnam from entering China.

The epidemic is said to have been spreading in 12 provinces in northern Vietnam since October this year and up till now about 1000 people have contracted the disease. In order to prevent the disease from entering China, AQSIQ has asked agencies to strengthen the quarantine of people, transportation vehicles, cargo, containers, luggage and parcels from Vietnam.

AQSIQ asks people coming to China from Vietnam to immediately report to the Entry & Exit Quarantine Departments if they have such symptoms as vomiting and diarrhea. It requires the Entry & Exit Quarantine Department, particularly those on the China-Vietnam border, to strengthen health reporting, body temperature measurement and medical patrol so as to take immediate medical measures on suspected patients. In addition, it asks that disinfection measures should be taken on vehicles, cargo, containers, luggage or parcel post that have been found to be impacted by cholera.

In the meantime, AQSIQ reminds Chinese nationals to learn about the epidemic situation in Vietnam before they leave for the country and pay more attention to personal health and food sanitation while they are traveling.