China works to free Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of endemics

He Wentao, an official of Aba's development and reform commission, said new houses are being built for the migrants and water pipes are paved, a key measure to purify drinking water for farmers and herdsmen who once shared their water with livestock.

Qumochung and 17 other herdsmen families from Basheng village have moved into a new residential areas, and the remaining eight families will be moved by year's end.

"A 1,300-meter-long drinking water pipe was built in our village. Doctors told us the purified water is good for our health," he said.

"The measures are paying off. In five to 10 years, the effect of the comprehensive treatment will be shown," predicted Pei Fuxing, a doctor in charge of clinic research and treatment of the disabling degenerative disease.

Pei said the aim was to cut the rate of new cases to 5 percent in ten years from the current 20 percent.