WHO Declares H1N1( Swine Flu ) a Pandemic

Tagged: Epidemic, h1n1, Pandemic, Swine Flu, Swine Influenza, WHO, World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the health warning of the Swine flu to 6, the highest alert level for a pandemic. The alert level was raised after an emergency meeting was conducted by the WHO experts. This is the first time in the last 41 years that the WHO has had to declare a global flu pandemic.

Infections increased significantly in the US, Europe, Australia, South America and other countries. The new epidemic is spreading quickly around the globe. By raising the alert level of the Swine Flu to a pandemic, drug makers are expected to speed up production of a vaccine to prevent swine flu. The United States government has already authorized the use of $1 billion funding for the development of a new vaccine to fight the flu.

According to the statement released by WHO, “At this early stage, the pandemic can be characterized globally as being moderate in severity”. Last June 10, there were already 27,737 reported cases of Swine Flu globally with 141 deaths. Every year, regular flu kills between 250,000 to 500,000. The agency said that most cases of Swine Flu are mild. But the concern with the swine flu is that it attacks even those who are young and healthy- people who are usually not susceptible to flu. The flu is also continuing to spread even as the summer has already started in the Northern hemisphere. Other flu viruses usually die down in the beginning of summer because of the warm weather. Still WHO urges countries “not to close borders or restrict trade”.