Efforts to prevent an epidemic outbreak have become a top priority after quake-affected villagers have been relocated into makeshift tents in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Local authorities have started reconstruction work following the 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Pishan County in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Friday.

Meanwhile, efforts to prevent an epidemic outbreak have become a top priority.

Local officials say the high temperature has made hygiene and epidemic prevention work highly challenging.

Zhang Jie, director of Pishan Health Bureau details the current state of relief work.

"Many makeshift toilets were set up near the tents. Such insect pests as flies and mosquitoes would breed over there if we don't dispose faeces well."

More than 100 medical workers have been sent for the disinfection work at 15 temporary settlements.

The Xinjiang government has earmarked a 20 million yuan disaster relief fund to the earthquake-affected areas.

The earthquake has left three dead and 214 injured as of now.

It has also damaged some 48,655 houses and affected about 225,790 residents.