China's Ministry of Health (MOH) Monday called on the public to fight against A/H1N1 flu as risks are rising amid recent cases of group infection.

Mao Qun'an, deputy director of MOH's general office, said universities, schools and nurseries should formulate plans to guard against A/H1N1 flu outbreaks after the Autumn semester starts in September.

On Sunday, a senior high school in central China's Henan Province reported 80 confirmed cases of the flu. On the same day, a junior high school in northwestern Gansu Province reported 26 cases.

Mao said schools should test students' body temperatures every morning and daily report results to health authorities even if no cases were found.

He also urged organizations and companies to "pay close attention" to the health of their staff.

"In regions where the situation is serious, organizations should reduce unnecessary cross-border movements or inter-provincial trips and avoid gathering," he said.

Local health departments should improve surveillance work and speed up the preparation and operation of supervisory hospitals and laboratories, Mao said.

Vice Health Minister Yin Li has emphasized the importance of vaccination. "Local health departments should organize vulnerable groups for inoculation when A/H1N1 flu vaccination regulations are issued," he said Monday.

The Chinese mainland had reported 3,757 A/H1N1 flu cases by Monday, 86.5 percent of which had recovered, the ministry said.

Globally, the disease had killed nearly 2,000 people and infected more than 180,000. It is circulating in more than 170 countries.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2009)

Comments