Meningitis claims 14

China reported 201 cases of cerebrospinal meningitis in December, and 14 people died of the disease, according to the Ministry of Health.

There were three times more cases and 10 more fatalities in that month than in November, reported the ministry.

The ministry ordered local health departments to check the spread of infectious diseases and made prevention work in middle and primary schools a priority.

Last December saw 801 people die in class A and B epidemics of the 307,910 cases reported in China.

Class A arrest warrant

The Ministry of Public Security has issued a Class A warrant for the arrest of a 36-year-old suspected gang leader in East China's Jiangxi Province.

Police said Liu Yonghua was suspected of having organized a series of crimes that involved murder, assault and inciting mob disturbances. He disappeared last December.

Anyone who provides information that leads to Liu's arrest will receive a reward of 50,000 yuan ($6,250), according to the warrant.

(China Daily 01/12/2007 page4)