Ministers: China Prepared for War against H1N1 Virus

Anchor: China's Health Minister, Chen Zhu, says Chinese doctors, have a quick and effective way, to diagnose swine flu.

But he adds the virus is still evolving, and has asked the public, to be on high alert.
Damin has the details.

Reporter:
At a news conference, Health Minister Chen Zhu, broke the good news.

"I have good news for you. Researchers with China's Center for Disease Control and Academy of Medical Science have created an effective method for instant diagnosis of possible H1N1 influenza epidemic. In no time the method will be installed in local CDCs across the country."
He thanked the US CDC and the World Health Organization, for information and technical aid.

Chen Zhu says President Hu Jintao and other top state leaders, met to discuss the epidemic Thursday morning.

Substantial prevention measures, have been implemented nationwide.

Overseas visitors are receiving health checks upon arrival in China, particularly those flying from Mexico and the US, where more than 170 people have died from the disease.

Those showing symptoms, would be immediately quarantined.

So far no suspected case of the flu has been found in China.

But the minister stresses it's still too early.

"The h1n1 virus in the human body is a new virus strain. Currently we do not know enough about it. It is still evolving when spreading between humans. Its virulence may strengthen. The worst part is that we are unclear about how it can change or how serious the epidemic situation can get. WHO chief Margaret Chan shares the same view with me. Let's prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

International experts, are racing to find a vaccine.

Mexican authorities say it might take up to half a year for researchers to develop one, and even longer before going into production.

But Minister Chen Zhu assures the country that after SARS and bird flu, China has had enough experience, dealing with similar public health emergencies.

"I want to remind everybody here that we went through SARS and avian influenza together, and we established an effective mechanism of disease prevention and control. That gives us the confidence and capability to deal with the h1n1 virus."

Quality inspection and agriculture officials, joined Minister Chen at the press conference.

They say the public should stay calm.

Damin, CRI news.