Health officials prepare for next wave of swine flu

The Chinese government has warned health officials about potential new outbreaks of the H1N1 virus during the Lunar New Year holiday, the busiest travel season of the year, the Wall Street Journal reported. China experienced 120,000 reported H1N1 cases in 2009 and 648 deaths, of which 447 occurred in December. Millions in China travel long distances over the holiday, which this year extends from late January to February, offering a crowded environment ideal for the transfer of virus contagions.  Outbreaks are likely to be most serious in rural areas that lack extensive medical resources and immediate access to emergency medical care. Authorities have already taken extensive measures to combat the spread of the virus, including quarantines, temperature monitoring and immunization of 50 million people.