A(H1N1) flu cases on mainland increase to 29

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-31 20:59

BEIJING -- Five more A(H1N1) flu cases were confirmed on the Chinese mainland on Sunday, bringing the total number to 29.

One new case was confirmed in Beijing, one each in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces and two in Guangdong Province.

The latest confirmed patient in Guangdong -- a 22-year-old beautician surnamed Xue who works at a wedding photography studio in Guangzhou, the provincial capital-- became the second case of local transmission on the mainland.

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She had close contact with a 28-year-old Chinese-American man surnamed Li, who developed a sore throat on May 24 after he flew from New York to Guangzhou, via Incheon City in the Republic of Korea. On Monday and Tuesday, he and his girlfriend spent two days with studio workers, including the beautician, taking bridal photos.

Another beautician at the studio surnamed Dai was confirmed to be infected with A(H1N1) on Friday.

Earlier Sunday, a 23-year-old Chinese Venezuelan in Foshan, Guangdong, was confirmed to have A(H1N1). The female college student left Venezuela Tuesday and flew to Guangzhou Wednesday via Paris, and relatives drove her back to Foshan City, the provincial health department said.

She rested at home after showing flu symptoms Thursday and was sent to Foshan No. 1 People's Hospital Friday.

The Fujian case, the fourth confirmed in the province, flew from New York to Hong Kong via Vancouver on Tuesday. He then flew to Fuzhou, provincial capital of Fujian on Thursday morning, the Fujian Health Department said.

He showed symptoms of fever and a cough on Saturday and was treated in the Lianjiang County Hospital. On Sunday, he was transferred to the Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital.

The results of tests conducted by the Fuzhou city and Fujian provincial disease control and prevention centers confirmed he was A(H1N1) positive.

The new Beijing case is a 7-year-old Chinese Canadian girl who flew from Canada to Beijing Saturday afternoon. She went directly to the Ditan Hospital on arrival after her temperature was measured at 38.1 degrees Celsius at the airport.

The Zhejiang case was a 39-year-old resident of Hangzhou, the provincial capital. She went to Australia on May 17 and flew back from Melbourne to Hong Kong Saturday and then flew to Hangzhou later that day.