While the National Day holiday boosted tourism in China, it also introduced new challenges for the prevention and control of the A/H1N1 flu virus.

In response, local health departments have, at the request of the Health Ministry, intensified measures to fight the disease in a bid to prevent the outbreak of a second wave of infections this autumn.

Chinese epidemiologists say that the A/H1N1 flu virus is poised for a resurgence this fall after the initial outbreak subsided earlier this year. In China, large-scale population movements associated with the National Day holiday have complicated prevention work.

The Health Ministry has said it plans to begin a massive vaccination drive without delay, giving priority to densely populated areas and regions where the risks of serious contagion are high. The Health Ministry also urged the vaccine's producer to work overtime to ensure that sufficient doses are sent to designated areas in good time.

The A/H1N1 vaccine must be transported with care, and requires 2 to 8 degrees Celsius of cold storage.

Liu Jun from Hualan Biological Engineering Inc., said, "Our company has a computer installed temperature system, and two drivers driving the truck in rotation to the destination."

The Health Ministry has made amendments to the new version of the A/H1N1 treatment scheme. The scheme includes instructions on how to identify and treat severe cases. Health Minister Chen Zhu said medical insurance will cover the cost of treating serious cases.

Currently, the Chinese mainland has five serious cases in treatment, and one person has died of the disease.

(CCTV October 10, 2009)