Editorials

Op-Ed Contributors

Chinese Press

Columnists

LETTERS

To prevent a flu outbreak

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-30 07:45

A Chinese netizen has written to www.rednet.cn, advising how to prevent a swine flu outbreak in China. Excerpts:

Swine flu has not been reported in China, but that does not mean we let our guard down.

The government should use the 2003 SARS outbreak as example to prepare for an eventuality, and announce the measures its departments and organizations have taken to prevent the spread of swine flu. It should stop people from spreading rumors and causing unnecessary panic among the public -- and that can be done only through timely release of information.

The public should be explained what the symptoms of swine flu are, and what steps people should take to prevent the spread of the disease.

Above all, people should be told that swine flu can be treated.

The swine flu virus can be transmitted to humans during travel. No one can expect to be safe, and people traveling beyond the country's borders should voluntarily undergo medical check-ups and quarantine.

On an individual level, we should wash our hands often, avoid crowded places and cover our mouth and nose while sneezing.

(China Daily 04/30/2009 page9)