The WHO (World Health Organization) announced on June 11 that the threat level of the H1N1 virus, or the swine flu, has been raised from Phase 5 to Phase 6 threat level. The announcement, made during a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, means that H1N1 is now classified as a pandemic.
The raised threat level is based on both formal and informal information obtained by the WHO’s Emergency Committee from a group of countries. The data was unanimously decided to be indisputable evidence that the world is in the beginning stage of a global pandemic caused by the H1N1 virus.
Evidence is composed of a group of indicators, such as the number of deaths, the number of people getting seriously ill, the high-risk groups, and the impact of this new disease on countries.
With nearly 30,000 cases reported from 74 countries, by calling the swine flu a pandemic the WHO intends to send a message to countries that irrespective of what state the epidemic is, they must maintain continuous vigilance. It however believes the pandemic to be of moderate severity—at least in its early days.
“On present evidence, the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery—often in the absence of any form of medical treatment,” said Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization in a statement published on WHO’s Web site. “It is important to note that around one third to half of the severe and fatal infections are occurring in previously healthy young and middle-aged people.” Chan added that pregnant women are particularly at risk of complications. Younger people are also at risk.
H1N1 was announced by the WHO in late April as a novel influenza A virus, meaning it is entirely new, and is contagious. It can spread easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. To date, 144 death cases have been reported worldwide, with 27 cases in the United States.
The raised threat level is based on both formal and informal information obtained by the WHO’s Emergency Committee from a group of countries. The data was unanimously decided to be indisputable evidence that the world is in the beginning stage of a global pandemic caused by the H1N1 virus.
Evidence is composed of a group of indicators, such as the number of deaths, the number of people getting seriously ill, the high-risk groups, and the impact of this new disease on countries.
With nearly 30,000 cases reported from 74 countries, by calling the swine flu a pandemic the WHO intends to send a message to countries that irrespective of what state the epidemic is, they must maintain continuous vigilance. It however believes the pandemic to be of moderate severity—at least in its early days.
“On present evidence, the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery—often in the absence of any form of medical treatment,” said Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization in a statement published on WHO’s Web site. “It is important to note that around one third to half of the severe and fatal infections are occurring in previously healthy young and middle-aged people.” Chan added that pregnant women are particularly at risk of complications. Younger people are also at risk.
H1N1 was announced by the WHO in late April as a novel influenza A virus, meaning it is entirely new, and is contagious. It can spread easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. To date, 144 death cases have been reported worldwide, with 27 cases in the United States.
