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Fujian adjusts AH1N1 prevention and control measures
By Hu Meidong and Liu Xintian (China Daily Fujian Bureau)
Updated: 2009-07-29 16:49

The first stage of adjustments to the prevention and control of AH1N1 in Fujian has been successfully achieved, said Zhu Qing, press spokesman of Fujian province, at a news conference in Fujian July 27. Prevention and control mechanisms will be tackled in the following stage, Zhu added.

Zhang Shouchen, deputy director of the Fujian Department of Public Health, introduced the new AH1N1 prevention and control measures, which include the following: Fujian will continue to take strict examinations at all ports to control any imported cases; locals will be under medical observation at their homes and non-fixed residents will be observed at designated observation locations; flu cases will be classified and get concentration treatment; and pre-inspection systems at medical institutions would be implemented to prevent infections of medical staff and other patients.

The flu monitoring network will be better constructed and material reserves for flu prevention and control, along with preparation work, would be carefully arranged, according to Zhang.

Since the first imported case of AH1N1 on May 24, there have been 154 confirmed cases in Fujian, including 135 import cases and 19 domestic cases as of July 26. One hundred and forty cases have been cured, while 14 cases are still under treatment in hospital. There have been no severe cases or cases resulting in death.

Fujian's AH1N1 situation has four unique features: imported cases prevail (accounting for 87.7% of all cases); most cases are in coastal areas; most patients are teenagers; and patients' conditions are not severe.

With the support and joint efforts of medical staff and citizens, Fujian has successfully controlled imported cases, prevented the outbreak of the flu at schools and slowed down the spread of the epidemic over the past two months. The province has achieved remarkable results in the prevention and control of AH1N1 and will spare no effort in carrying on their work, Zhang said.

"AH1N1 can be controlled and cured, so there's no need for the public to overreact," Zhang stressed.