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Home service worker source of Beijing's A(H1N1) mass infection

By Hou Lei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-03 11:35

A home service worker, who cared for a pupil from Beijing's Nanhu Zhongyuan Primary School, is believed to be the source of the city's first A(H1N1) mass infection, according to the local disease control authorities’ investigation.

Special coverage: A（H1N1）Influenza Outbreak Related readings: 2nd mass infection of flu Mainland A (H1N1) flu cases rise to 915, one death Official: Flu patient didn't die from H1N1 TCM cures H1N1 flu in Beijing Ministry warns of possible A (H1N1) flu deaths in China

 Seventeen Nanhu Zhongyuan Primary School students have been diagnosed with A(H1N1) flu as of 8pm Thursday. All of the students have been reported to be in a stable condition, said Xinhua News Agency Thursday evening.

This is Beijing's first A(H1N1) flu mass infection.

Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention said the home service worker on the same day also provided service to an American couple before looking after the primary school student, local media reported.

The student was the first one at his school to get a fever on June 25. He was tested positive for the A(H1N1) flu on July 1.

Beijing's disease control authorities said the home service worker may have been infected with the A(H1N1) flu, but recovered without a medical treatment. Under the local disease control authorities’ investigation the worker has been tested positive for another influenza virus but not A(H1N1).

As for the American couple, although they did not show any symptoms while in Beijing the chances of them being infected with the virus are not excluded.