Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday called for continued vigilance against the global pandemic of the A/H1N1 influenza and urged positive and scientific measures to cope with it.

Wen made the comment at the executive meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet.

He underscored the importance of preventing and controlling the disease in public places such as schools and hospitals and called for intensified efforts in treating patients with serious symptoms so as to reduce the likelihood of fatalities. So far, there have been no deaths from the flu in China.

Inspection and quarantine measures should be strengthened and reserves of flu-prevention and control materials must be secured, he said.

Flu medicine and vaccines should be made and stored as scheduled and the role of traditional Chinese medicine in treating the disease should not be neglected, he added.

He also asked local authorities to make prevention and control plans based on local conditions and formulate management measures on flu patients' medical expenses.

The Premier has also championed the importance of health education and public opinion guidance in fighting against the disease.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2009)