Chinese medical experts examine Urumqi syringe attacks victims

URUMQI, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese military medical experts on Saturday said that it was too early to say victims in recent syringe attacks in Urumqi City had contracted diseases related to radioactive substance, anthrax and toxic chemical as rumors had it.

Chinese military medical experts answer queations at a press conference in Urumqi, capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 5, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

Normally, the latent period of these diseases range from months to half a year, said Qian Jun, director of Disease Control and Biological Security Office with China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences, at a press conference here. "They should be closely observed."

Qian said he, along with other five medical experts with the General Logistics Department of Chinese People's Liberation Army, had examined 217 medical records of victims since Friday.

"So far, no evidence showed that they had contracted diseases related to radioactive substance, anthrax, toxic chemical, microorganism, hepatitis A, hepatitis B or AIDS," he said.

Syringe attacks carried out since Aug. 20 have resulted in panic and resentment from the public.

By Thursday, local hospitals had dealt with 531 victims of hypodermic syringe stabbings, 106 of whom showed obvious signs of needle attacks.