1379 Chinese die from infectious diseases in August

More than 601,703 cases of infectious diseases were reported on the Chinese mainland in August, and they resulted in 1,379 deaths, according to China's News Agency (Xinhua). A total of 343,201 cases identified as Class B infectious diseases by the MOH were reported on the mainland in the month, of which 1,338 were fatal, the ministry said. Class B infectious diseases number 25 and include AIDS, tuberculosis and dysentery. Hepatitis, tuberculosis, syphilis, dysentery and gonorrhea were the top five killers, causing 96% of the deaths from class B diseases. Eighteen cholera cases were reported, but they did not result in any deaths. And no cases of plague were reported. Both diseases are categorized as Class A infectious diseases, the most serious, under China's Law on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases. Category C infectious diseases left 41 people dead in August, and the three most frequently reported diseases were foot-and-mouth disease, infectious diarrhea and mumps, according to the statement.