Society

China reports 91 more deaths from H1N1 flu

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-23 21:58

BEIJING: The Chinese mainland has reported 91 deaths from the H1N1 influenza in the week from December 14 to 20, the Ministry of Health announced Wednesday.

A total of 6,129 H1N1 flu cases were reported during the period. H1N1 accounted for 87.5 percent of flu cases, a minor drop from the week before last, said the notice on the ministry's official website.

Pregnant women accounted for 8.7 percent of severe cases of the H1N1 influenza and 15.7 percent of deaths during this period, it said.

Many places across the country still had a high incidence of the H1N1 flu, the notice said, urging people, especially pregnant women, to get inoculated according to the schedules of local health departments.

Bian Xuming, director of maternity department in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, suggested pregnant women promptly receive vaccinations against the flu and take all preventive measures.

"Pregnant women have low immunity and emergency response ability as their organs already bear heavy burdens, leaving them more vulnerable.

"Once they catch the flu, the illness will progress rapidly and they will be in more danger. That's why prevention is more important," Bian said.

As of Monday, almost 40.6 million people nationwide had been inoculated against the H1N1 flu while more than 75.2 million doses of vaccines had been approved for use.