by Epifanio Cortes Cedillo
MEXICO CITY, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The spreading A/H1N1
flu that has killed dozens in Mexico is highly contagious and requires the
creation of a new hygiene culture in the country's education, said Thursday Dr.
Alfonso Luis Peralta Chaparro, a researcher at the National Autonomous
University of Mexico.
"This is a relatively new kind of illness, and that
is why it should be given its due importance," Peralta told Xinhua.
"Everything should be appropriately handled as the
contagion will continue."
Earlier on Thursday, Mexico's Health Ministry said
the nation had 64 confirmed deaths of the A/H1N1 flu and 2,565 infected cases.
The Mexican government ordered to close all
educational institutions from nurseries to universities on April 24. And it
later resumed higher education last Thursday and most other schools reopened
Monday as the number of new infection cases has seen a downward recently.
Peralta said that though the situation was improving
since the Mexican authorities took relative measures, "that does not mean the
epidemic has been overcome."
"Also it is not the time for everything to return to
normal," he said, noting "such kind of health problem does not disappear
overnight."
"We have to remain alert and apply medical measures
everywhere, at schools and in workplaces," he suggested.
When Mexico's junior schools reopened on Monday, the
authorities inspected every child to see if he or she has any flu-like symptoms.
Around 50,000 children were sent home on the first day and asked to see a
doctor.
Peralta called for a reform in the curriculum at the
country's primary schools to reflect the new situation.
"A new culture of hygiene and health should be
created, because the best way to avoid spreading disease is not only killing the
virus but also keeping the good habit of cleanliness," he said.
He also called for more conferences, workshops and
specialist panels with epidemiology specialists to discuss the issue.
Special Report:
World Tackles A/H1N1
Flu
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