BEIJING -- Chinese authorities have recently issued a set of guidelines to improve the country's medium and long-term efforts in the prevention and control of plague, classified as a Class A infectious disease in China.

Despite effectively controlling human plague outbreaks, with cases remaining in the single digits annually, China continues to face challenges in its prevention and control. According to health authorities, these challenges stem from factors including the country's vast and diverse natural plague foci, which create stable transmission chains of animal plague in various localities.

The guidelines, jointly issued by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and four other departments, emphasize that plague management should prioritize prevention, adapt strategies in accordance with local conditions, and adhere to a scientific and law-based approach to disease management.

The guidelines call for an improved system for the prevention and control of the disease, and introduce measures such as enhancing monitoring and early warning systems, strengthening emergency response teams, and improving legal and technical standards for plague prevention and control.

The document also highlights the research, development and application of new technologies in plague management.