Chinese leaders ask for strict anti-flu steps following first confirmed case

Source: Xinhua | 05-11-2009 21:59

BEIJING, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, Monday called for enhanced vigilance and strict steps against the A/H1N1 influenza after the country's mainland reported its first case.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R. front) gestures while visiting the Chengdu Infectious Disease Hospital, which  accepted Chinese mainland's first confirmed A/H1N1 patient surnamed Bao, in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's  Sichuan Province, May 11, 2009. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

"We must attach great importance to the fact that the flu epidemic is still spreading in some countries and regions, and that China has discovered one case," Hu said after learning about the latest development of the epidemic.

He ordered governments at all levels to spare no efforts to put all emergency response measures in place in order to curb further spread of the disease.

A Chinese mainland male surnamed Bao, who recently returned from the United States, tested positive for the A/H1N1 influenza early on Monday, becoming the first such case reported on the Chinese mainland.

The State Council, or the Cabinet, held a meeting Monday to discuss further steps for the prevention of the disease.