China Health Ministry warns possible A/H1N1 flu death

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China is "very likely" to have a regional outbreak of the A/H1N1 influenza and its first death from the virus in the foreseeable future. The announcement came at a press conference on Monday. The Health Ministry also gave the latest epidemic situation and response measures.

Officials from the Health Ministry gave the update on the A/H1N1 epidemic.

They warned of possible deaths from the flu as the number of cases rises.

Liang Wannian, deputy director of Health Ministry Emergency Office, said, "The chances of medical workers, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases being infected will rise, making the possibility of A/H1N1 flu fatalities extremely possible."

Liang also said the number of imported cases is expected to continue to increase in the near future. More local people will be infected.

A collective occurrence or a possible regional outbreak is inevitable at this point.

But government prevention and control efforts have proved effective and won time for stocking drugs and developing a vaccine.

The state quality watchdog says it will continue stepping up the monitoring and control at the borders, as Hong Kong has relaxed its alert.

Liu Deping, director of Customs Administration Under GAQSIQ, said, "We understand Hong Kong's decision to adjust its preventive and control measures. The decision was made from the consideration of its own situation and interest. We will keep close contact with their related departments to coordinate the quarantine measures at the borders."

The Health Ministry will also strengthen preventive measures in schools and communities. The measures will be adjusted in time according to the situation.