A total of 27 Chinese died of the A/H1N1 influenza last week, bringing the death toll of the disease on the Chinese mainland over 730 people, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.

According to the ministry's weekly report, the country confirmed 1,556 cases of the flu from January 11 to 17. Among them, 348 have been treated in hospital. Both figures are much smaller than those of the previous week.

From January 4 to 10, 2,173 cases were reported, including 51 deaths.

However, the ministry warned that the A/H1N1 flu would continue to spread in the country in 2010.

Risks of mass infection of the influenza might increase due to the upcoming Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, in February when Chinese people, mostly migrant workers and students, would travel back home for family reunions, the ministry said.

The ministry urged local health authorities to strengthen monitoring and reporting of the A/H1N1 influenza, while making sound efforts to handle other possible public health emergencies.

According to the latest report, the disease had killed at least 737 people by January 17.

As of Tuesday, more than 64.7 million Chinese people had been inoculated with the A/H1N1 flu vaccine.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2010)