GENEVA, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Preventing communicable disease outbreaks is the key public health issue now facing China in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the country's south-western region, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday.

　　"The main needs now are water, sanitation and food," said Dr. Hans Troedsson, WHO's representative to China, in a statement.

　　"Ensuring supply of food and safe drinking water and trying to restore good sanitation are critical because these are the basic transmission routes for communicable diseases," he said.

　　The UN body said that it is working closely with China's Ministry of Health to offer aid, supplies and guidance.

　　WHO is being updated continually on the latest health issues in the wake of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Sichuan Province on May 12, the statement said.

　　According to WHO, action is needed to prevent the risk of disease outbreaks in quake-affected areas, where absence of safe drinking water and proper waste disposal, and cramped living conditions in temporary shelters can be conducive to outbreaks.

　　Damaged roads and health facilities can be major obstacles to providing appropriate health care.

　　Dr. Troedsson said the Chinese government's response to the immense health and logistics challenges, particularly in the epicenter area in Beichuan County, seems to have been appropriate.

　　The Chinese authorities have outlined an epidemic control and response plan, which includes distribution of safe water and food, robust epidemic monitoring and control of any identified outbreaks.

　　Thousands of health staff, including epidemic surveillance and control officers, have been sent to affected areas.