CHINESE Premier Li Keqiang has called on health officials and residents to remain vigilant against the bird flu as the lethal virus continues to spread.
Premier Li Keqiang is urging caution against the deadly new strain of bird flu that has so far killed 24 people.
Mr Li insisted efforts to tackle the virus have so far been effective.
"We need to stay on high alert as this is a new virus, and we don't have all the information," Li said Sunday during a visit to the nation's disease control agency in Beijing, according to a report posted on China National Radio's website.
A leading American virologist has said there is no evidence the deadly H7-N9 bird flu has yet spread between humans, but he has warned that health authorities must be ready for the virus to mutate at any time.
"It looks preventable and controllable now, and there is no evidence showing human-to-human transmission," Li said.
However, China reported 10 more cases of the avian influenza in the space of just three days, bringing the total number to 122 including 24 deaths, according to reports.
Mr Li insisted efforts to tackle the virus have so far been effective.
"We need to stay on high alert as this is a new virus, and we don't have all the information," Li said Sunday during a visit to the nation's disease control agency in Beijing, according to a report posted on China National Radio's website.
A leading American virologist has said there is no evidence the deadly H7-N9 bird flu has yet spread between humans, but he has warned that health authorities must be ready for the virus to mutate at any time.
"It looks preventable and controllable now, and there is no evidence showing human-to-human transmission," Li said.
However, China reported 10 more cases of the avian influenza in the space of just three days, bringing the total number to 122 including 24 deaths, according to reports.
Li urged health officials to lower the rate of fatalities from the disease and to continue releasing information to the public, it emerged.
He spoke with officials from Zhejiang province, which has had 45 cases, as well as those from Lushan county in Sichuan province, the epicenter of the 6.6-magnitude earthquake on April 20.
In a study published online in The Lancet medical journal, Chinese scientists confirmed the H7N9 virus is transmitted to humans from chickens, confirming that up to now no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found.
Last week, the World Health Organization described the virus as "one of the most lethal", and said it is more easily transmitted than an earlier strain that has killed hundreds globally since 2003. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/395665/Chinese-Premier-calls-for-high-alert-as-number-of-bird-flu-infections-continues-to-rise
..CHINA'S Premier Li Keqiang yesterday urged authorities to be vigilant against the new strain of bird flu that has killed 23 people, while saying that efforts to tackle the virus have so far been effective.
Speaking during a visit to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing, the premier warned people to prepare for new developments amid fears H7N9 could mutate into a form easily transmissible between humans.
"Countermeasures have been effective so far, but the situation is still developing as new cases turn up," Li said.
"We cannot afford to take it easy or relax, as we are facing a new virus," he said. "We should be prepared for any possible development."
He said more effort was needed to diagnose and treat people as early as possible.
Li pledged to spare no efforts in treating infected patients and reducing casualties.
"We will make sure no patients have to deal with delayed treatment because of costs," he said.
Li said the government will continue to cooperate with international organizations, release information openly and increase public awareness...
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nsp/National/2013/04/29/Premiers%2Bwarning%2Bover%2BH7N9%2Bvirus/
He spoke with officials from Zhejiang province, which has had 45 cases, as well as those from Lushan county in Sichuan province, the epicenter of the 6.6-magnitude earthquake on April 20.
In a study published online in The Lancet medical journal, Chinese scientists confirmed the H7N9 virus is transmitted to humans from chickens, confirming that up to now no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found.
Last week, the World Health Organization described the virus as "one of the most lethal", and said it is more easily transmitted than an earlier strain that has killed hundreds globally since 2003. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/395665/Chinese-Premier-calls-for-high-alert-as-number-of-bird-flu-infections-continues-to-rise
..CHINA'S Premier Li Keqiang yesterday urged authorities to be vigilant against the new strain of bird flu that has killed 23 people, while saying that efforts to tackle the virus have so far been effective.
Speaking during a visit to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing, the premier warned people to prepare for new developments amid fears H7N9 could mutate into a form easily transmissible between humans.
"Countermeasures have been effective so far, but the situation is still developing as new cases turn up," Li said.
"We cannot afford to take it easy or relax, as we are facing a new virus," he said. "We should be prepared for any possible development."
He said more effort was needed to diagnose and treat people as early as possible.
Li pledged to spare no efforts in treating infected patients and reducing casualties.
"We will make sure no patients have to deal with delayed treatment because of costs," he said.
Li said the government will continue to cooperate with international organizations, release information openly and increase public awareness...
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nsp/National/2013/04/29/Premiers%2Bwarning%2Bover%2BH7N9%2Bvirus/