WHO Issues High Alert Level for H1N1

World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan has announced the "2009 influenza pandemic" is underway.

[Margaret Chan, WHO Director General]:
"On the basis of available evidence and these experts assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. I have therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6."

Chan restated the WHO's previous advice not to close borders or impose travel restrictions on people, goods or services.

[Margaret Chan, WHO Director General]:
"Based on the evidence, we make some recommendations. Clearly, no closure of borders, no restrictions of travel, and also no trade bans.

Phase six is the highest level on the WHOs pandemic alert scale.

This level reflects the geographical spread of the H1N1 virus, widely known as swine flu, but does not indicate how virulent it is.

Chan says the unanimous experts' decision was based on an overall assessment in the eight most heavily hit countries Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Spain and the United States that the virus is spreading in a sustained way in communities.

The current H1N1 pandemic is mild with only 2 percent of infected patients having developed severe symptoms including acute pneumonia.

[Margaret Chan, WHO Director General]:
"WHO has been in close dialogue with influenza vaccine manufacturers. I understand that production of vaccines for seasonal influenza will be completed soon and that full capacity will be available to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccines in the months to come.

The H1N1 strain of the flu first emerged in April in Mexico and the United States. It has since spread to at least 74 countries causing almost 29 thousand infections and 144 deaths.

The new strain can be treated by antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu tablets and Relenza spray.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Ntd
• NTDTV
• news
• WHO
• High
• Alert
• Level
• H1N1
• influenza
• pandemic
• scientific
• criteria
• swine
• flu
• Australia
• Britain
• pneumonia

[starfireucsd]

WHO = World Homicide Organization

[matter1234]

ohhh..