China able to detect 300 known pathogens within 72 hours: ministry

A system that can detect 300 known pathogens of communicable diseases within 72 hours, has taken shape in China, the Ministry of Science and Technology said Tuesday.

This suggests that the gap between China's detection of communicable diseases and diagnostic reagents and the international level has narrowed significantly, Xu Jianguo, an academician with China Academy of Engineering, told a press conference.

In 2008, the ministry launched a project on communicable disease prevention and treatment. The primary goal of the project was to establish a system for prevention and treatment of major communicable diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis, said Chen Chuanhong, an official with the ministry.

Over the years, China has developed a inter-agency and inter-regional network for detecting communicable diseases, which has supported efforts to address major epidemics such as HIN1 flu and Zika fever, said Qin Huaijin, an official in charge of science and education with the National Health and Family Planning Commission.