No major flu outbreak in Xinjiang: health authorities

There have been no signs of a major flu outbreak in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, regional health authorities said Wednesday.

The results of flu monitoring conducted by local authorities are similar to monitoring efforts conducted elsewhere in the country and no epidemic has been found, according to a circular issued by the regional health bureau.

The announcement was made after 22 A/H1N1 cases were confirmed in the region's city of Hotan as of March 11, but efforts have been made to control the spread.

All high schools, primary schools and kindergartens in Xinjiang have been asked to examine their students to look for signs of infection.

The circular contained an analysis of influenza activity in Xinjiang over the previous 10 weeks, which stated that overall influenza activity in Xinjiang during the period has been similar to that of corresponding periods in 2010 and 2011.