2009-10-31 CRI Roundup

Hello and welcome to this edition of CRI Roundup brought to you by China Radio International. I'm Damin in Beijing.

In this edition, we will focus on the prevention of A/H1N1 pandemic as the infectious virus is still posing a severe threat to some countries.

Don't go away.

In the United States, the A/H1N1 flu is more widespread now than it's ever been. The flu has caused the death of more than 1,000 people, and 46 states have reported widespread influenza activity.

President Obama declared the country is in the midst of a national flu emergency. Many citizens in the US are queuing up to get a vaccine to protect themselves.

Citizens have grown anxious that the flu vaccines are falling short of demand.

"I've heard about clinics running out. And I thought we might have gotten here earlier so that we don't run out, you know."

"It's only available in a few places."

"Well, it's too bad. It sounds like taking longer to make."

In July this year, the Obama administration said companies could make 80 million to 120 million doses of the vaccines by mid-October. But the latest figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show only 22 million doses are available.

The severe shortage of vaccines has forced the country to shift from vaccinating every citizen to inoculating vulnerable elements of the population.

Marita Mike, Health Director at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security, explains:

"The H1N1 vaccine, the target group contains young people. So our vaccine target groups are pregnant women, people who provide care to infants less than six months because infants less than six months are not eligible, children aged six months up to 24 years, individuals aged between 25 to 64 years old who have underlying medical conditions such as asthma, and of course, health care providers."

U.S. medical experts are also assuring that the vaccines are safe enough as they are developed using extensively tested technologies.

Now, turning to Asia,

In South Korea, the first round of vaccinations come as the A/H1N1 virus has claimed 25 South Koreans.

The health and welfare minister Jeon Jae-hee says South Korea is thoroughly prepared to fight the epidemic.

"The new influenza is spreading fast, but the fatality rate is the same as, or lower than, the annual seasonal flu's. In particular, our government's preventive measures against epidemics are thoroughly ready and are being promoted. We have enough Tamiflu and Relenza."

In the Philippines, health officials at airports are closely monitoring passengers entering the country.

Noel Ramirez is a Quarantine Medical Officer for the Philippines.

"In the light of this news regarding the recurrence of A-H1N1, our health personnel at the airport are on a heightened alert so as to prevent the entry of illnesses, particularly those coming from affected countries."

In China, the number of patients infected with A/H1N1 flu has seen a sharp increase recently. So far four people have died from the pandemic.

Zeng Guang is chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He says the number of A/H1N1 infections in China is expected to peak between winter and spring.

The expert says the main task for the protection and control of the impending outbreak is increasing precautionary measures and starting to use vaccines.

"The most important thing is prevention. Medical workers should try to let patients know that they have been infected at the beginning of their illness. It is also important to find the first case in places where no case has been found before."

Meanwhile, Chinese vaccine producers are speeding up production of the A/H1N1 flu vaccine to brace citizens for the outbreak.

A Ministry of Health spokesman says a total of 26 million doses will have been delivered by the end of October.

And with that, we conclude this edition of CRI Roundup. If you have any comments or suggestions, or would like to listen to any of our programs, you can visit our website at Crienglish.com.

I'm Damin in Beijing. Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for more on China Radio International.