Influenza A extends through the countryside of China
Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu warned that the influenza virus A epidemic is spreading rapidly through the country’s vast rural areas, and could be a new surge in cases during the Lunar New Year next February, when the millions of Chinese return to their cities and hometowns to visit their families.
“Outbreaks of influenza in Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities, as well as those in schools, have been greatly reduced. However, the virus continues to spread in towns and rural communities,” said Zhu in a statement. “The risk of contracting influenza A virus will increase. It is expected that the virus in the near future will expand intensively,” he added. (more…)
