Public find new ways to tackle flu
- Source: Global Times
- [03:08 November 11 2009]
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A young woman in Changsha, Hunan Province wears a face mask, dotted with hearts, as a protection against the A(H1N1) virus. Some experts say ordinary masks cannot fully protect people from the virus. Photo: CFP
As A(H1N1) flu cases increase due to colder temperatures, people across the Chinese mainland are using novel ways to stay healthy and safe.
Since September, the number of confirmed A(H1N1) cases have grown rapidly, and the epidemic is expected to last through next March, Mao Qun'an, spokesman at the Ministry of Health, said Tuesday.
"The virus doesn't vary now and generally speaking it is still in a gentle state," he said.
The epidemic has claimed 31 lives and left about 190 people in serious condition on the mainland as of Tuesday, according to the latest report issued by the ministry.
Henan and Fujian provinces each reported their first death on Monday, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regions reported its fourth fatality the same day, which means the flu has touched nearly every part of China.
About 9 million people have been inoculated nationwide, and more are prepared to get the shot, the report said.
In some cities, seniors are expected to get quick access to the vaccine.
According to Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the municipal health bureau was dispatching the vaccines for seniors above 60, and they can receive vaccination in local clinics starting from next week.
