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Ministry: Risk of virus entering mainland grows

By Wang Zhuoqiong (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-08 07:37

Deputy Health Minister Zhang Mao said on Wednesday the risk of the flu entering the mainland is growing, although the spread of new cases globally has slowed.

"Chinese medical experts believe the epidemic will continue to spread across the globe and the mainland must remain vigilant," Zhang told a videoconference.

In the past week, the mainland has initiated a multi-sector prevention and control mechanism, adopted strict quarantine measures on people, goods and vehicles crossing its border, stepped up epidemic monitoring and made active medical preparations for emergencies.

Zhang said autumn and winter might see a second outbreak and the virus may mutate into a more fierce variety.

Full coverage:  A（H1N1） Influenza Outbreak Related readings: One passenger from flu-affected flight kept in quarantine Health ministers of ASEAN+3 countries meet for flu-fighting Hu, Obama talk on phone about flu epidemic WHO official: China doing 'quite well' in handling flu SARS expert urges vigilance against A(H1N1) flu

Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist of China's Center for Disease Control, said the mainland must be prepared for the worst.

It faces more severe challenges for a possible flu epidemic, given its population density, enormous migrating population and uneven regional disease control capacities, he said.

"We should never ease up, because we know little about the disease."

Zeng said the world has learned to take decisive measures to contain the flu outbreak following the SARS epidemic in 2003.

"The spread of the A(H1N1) flu slowed after the world acted to monitor and contain it. But if we lower our vigilance, it will spread more quickly," he said.

The expert also defended China's move to quarantine some foreigners, saying it was to protect the health of the public.

"We should always prepare for the worst scenario while working toward the best results," he said.

Zhong Nanshan, an academic respected for his work in China's fight against the SARS outbreak, said the quarantine was "necessary".

The leading Chinese expert on respiratory diseases called on people to be vigilant against the influenza despite the low death rate from the disease.