CRI听力: Mainland Confirms 729 A/H1N1 Flu Cases, No Death

Anchor:
The Chinese mainland has confirmed 729 A/H1N1 flu cases as of Monday, but no fatalities have been reported.

But a health official warns that as imported cases of the influenza continue to rise, the virus may spread further and cause deaths.

Zheng Chenguang has more.(www.hXen.com)

Reporter:
Liang Wannian, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Health says China still faces great challenges in combating A/H1N1 flu, even though no deaths have so far been reported.

"In the following days, imported cases will continue to appear in China. Localized outbreak is hard to prevent. As the cases are increasing in China, serious cases or even deaths may happen among high risk group such as pregnant women and those who have a chronic disease."

The health official says, in China, most of the A/H1N1 cases are imported, which accounts for more than 70 percent of the total confirmed cases. He adds that healthy young people are most severely affected with more than 70 percent of people who tested positive for the influenza being under 30 years old.

Liang says the government has been taking a series of measures to combat the virus. These include stepping up developing and producing a H1N1 vaccine and enhancing cooperation with the World Health Organization and foreign countries.

He notes that in case of a rampant localized outbreak, the government would switch to monitor the 'group activities' of each community instead of closely tracking and quarantining individual patients.

"We will enhance prevention and control of the virus in places like schools and communities. We will also strengthen epidemic monitoring and treatment in severe cases, and effectively utilize our resources to fight against the disease."

Meanwhile, China's quality watchdog says the country has imposed stringent checks on people entering the country. So far more than 40 percent of the imported cases in China have been found at entry and exit ports.

The agency has also ordered quarantine offices to conduct thorough sanitation inspections on flights, ships and other vehicles.

Zheng Chenguang, CRI News.