Seems it is contagous but I don't think this is going to work for them: "We don't have proper oil cleanup materials, so our workers are wearing rubber gloves and using chopsticks," http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100721/ap_on_bi_ge/as_china_pipeline_explosion
Wow, that's a completely different story about what is happening. I guess when there isn't freedom of the press the government can put out what ever news it wants.