After the government ordered more accurate reporting of fatalities of swine flu, amid suspicions of a cover-up, the toll has tripled over the last fortnight in China.
After the government ordered more accurate reporting of fatalities of swine flu, amid suspicions of a cover-up, the toll has tripled over the last fortnight in China.
A statement posted on the health ministry's website late Tuesday said the number of people reported killed by the influenza A(H1N1) virus had jumped to 178 at the weekend, up from a previously reported nationwide tally of 53.
H1N1 Cases In China Will Soon Double To 10,000, Warn Experts
With the surfacing of 100 new H1N1 cases, the total cases nationwide will soon double to 10,000, warn Chinese health experts. The peak of the outbreak has begun has begun in China.
With the surfacing of 100 new H1N1 cases, the total cases nationwide will soon double to 10,000, warn Chinese health experts. The peak of the outbreak has begun has begun in China.
The statement noted that "the number of severe cases and deaths continues to rise."
"The epidemic situation in our nation remains grim," it said.
Despite reporting tens of thousands of confirmed influenza A(H1N1) cases in China since the virus first emerged this spring in North America, the reported death rate here has remained far below that of other countries.
Cover-up suspicions were fuelled last month when medical expert Zhong Nanshan was quoted by a Chinese newspaper saying he suspected authorities in some areas were under-reporting fatalities to convince superiors they were containing the virus.
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The efficacy of 2009 H1N1 vaccine in kids aged of 10 to 17 is promising, according to initial results of preliminary trials.
The efficacy of 2009 H1N1 vaccine in kids aged of 10 to 17 is promising, according to initial results of preliminary trials.
The government had initially tried to hide the SARS outbreak and only owned up after it began to spill over into other countries.
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Drug Cocktail Offers Hope In Treating Drug-Resistant H1N1 Swine Flu
Researchers say that a cocktail of three drugs, already on the market, offers the best hope in developing a single agent to treat drug-resistant H1N1 swine flu.
Researchers say that a cocktail of three drugs, already on the market, offers the best hope in developing a single agent to treat drug-resistant H1N1 swine flu.
Chinese officials including Health Minister Chen Zhu have warned repeatedly in recent months that China was likely to see a sharp increase in overall cases of swine flu and deaths during the winter, when flu is most virulent.
Tuesday's health ministry statistical statement said more than 91,000 people had been confirmed to have contracted the virus in China, but the vast majority of whom had already recovered.
Source-AFP
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