国内英语新闻:China working to prevent secondary disasters in quake-hit region

Local authorities have properly disposed of more than 40,000 dead animals to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.

But Yushu's more than 30,000 stray pets are a concern as they might eat dead marmots carrying the plague, and then transmit the disease to humans.

The local health authorities have sent out 137 medical workers in seven groups to guard against any outbreaks of infectious diseases. They also have set up a testing laboratory for the plague.

"It's our top guiding principle to ensure the safety of residents. We will never let them suffer a second trauma," said Luo Huining, governor of Qinghai Province.