BEIJING, Oct. 31 -- The number of cases of people infected with the A/H1N1 influenza virus seems to be running amok, with more than 42,000 confirmed on the mainland by Friday and four deaths reported.
The warning by experts from the Ministry of Health (MOH) that almost 80 percent of the colds people usually contract this season has been caused by the virus is a clear indicator that it is spreading rapidly among the populace.
Nearly 400,000 cases have been reported from across the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and it has claimed the lives of at least 5,000 people worldwide.
WHO estimates that the number of cases and deaths is much more than what is being reported. Apparently, it is becoming increasingly difficult to control the spread of the virus.
Epidemic outbreaks can occur almost anywhere in the country. So, it is not only hard but also unnecessary to designate any particular place as the key center for prevention and control efforts. This also makes the prevention and control work more difficult.
But that, by no means, is to suggest that prevention and control efforts should be relaxed. Rather, they must be further tightened, with vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children and those with chronic ailments put under special care.
The fact that the flu spread in more than 1,500 densely concentrated settings, such as schools, signifies that even more and specific preemptive measures must be taken before such epidemic outbreaks turn into a pandemic.
In Beijing, where 200 or more cases are being reported daily, some universities require students to check their body temperature every day, and report symptoms of flu, such as fevers and coughs, to the health care department. Such efforts are vital.
What makes the prevention and control effort even more difficult is the fact that winter, which is a season that reports a much higher rate of flu cases normally, is approaching in the vast northern, northeastern and northwestern parts of China.
So, it is very likely that the number of people likely to be infected by the virus will increase rapidly in the months to come.
But there is no need to panic. There is no sign that the virus has mutated. Clinical symptoms show that they are still very mild and most of those infected can recover on their own even without taking any medicine.
Authorities from the MOH have pointed out that most students who may contract the virus can recover without the help of any medication. Yet, early isolation of those who show flu-like symptoms makes a huge difference to prevent the virus from spreading.
With more people being vaccinated against the virus, there is a good chance the epidemic can be brought under control.
But it is even more important that people develop a healthy way of life - washing hands before eating, keeping homes well ventilated and strengthening the immune system by exercises.
Even if researchers find the best method to prevent infections from the A/H1N1 flu, there is a possibility that some other virus will do the damage. Even vaccines are not 100 percent fail-proof and will not work forever.
So, to prevent physical ailments, it is of utmost importance to develop a healthy lifestyle, which will keep us in sound health, both physically and psychologically.
(Source: China Daily)
Special Report: World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu ¡¡
