China advises less travel ahead of Spring Festival amid flu fear

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Health on Wednesday advised children, old people and other vulnerable groups to stay put for the upcoming Spring Festival in a bid to prevent an A/H1N1 outbreak.

Usually a large number of Chinese people, mostly migrant workers and students, travel back home for family reunions in time of the Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 14, resulting in a highpeak of mass transportation.

Pregnant women, children, the elderly, obese people and those with chronic diseases were advised not to frequent crowded places and see doctors as soon as possible if experiencing respiratory symptoms, the ministry said on its official website.

The Chinese mainland reported 51 deaths from the A/H1N1 influenza in the week from Jan. 4 to Jan. 10, with 2,173 new cases confirmed.