China strengthens flu surveillance in rural regions
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-20 20:28

BEIJING, November 20 (Xinhua) -- China will strengthen flu prevention and control in vast rural regions, according to a senior health official Sunday.

The Ministry of Health is going to set up more flu surveillance stations in the rural areas, especially at village level, to ensure immediate detection and report of flu epidemic, said Chen Xianyi, head of the contingency office of the ministry.

In addition, the ministry will enhance training of township medical staff, to make sure they inform experts of the disease once it is found, he said.

The ministry also vowed to strengthen prevention and control efforts of human bird flu, said the official, noting there is no prove of human-to-human transmission based on medical observation of the people with close to the confirmed human cases.