Emergency orders to battle meningitis

Chinese health officials issued emergency orders to try to contain an outbreak of meningitis that has to date killed at least 16 people and infected more than 250. Local authorities have been ordered to report cases promptly, maintain high standards of cleanliness in public spaces and prepare sufficient vaccines. Eight of the recent deaths occurred in central Anhui province, but officials said cases had been reported in almost all Chinese provinces and regions except Tibet, Hainan and Fujian.