WHO’s alert level indicates nation-wise preparedness and response plans to fight when a pandemic-like situation breaks out. The former phase of alert in the WHO global influenza preparedness plan was 4, and has now just been raised to 5. A phase 6 is the highest in the scale and is for a full-scale pandemic.
Phase 5 -> A pandemic is officially under way.
There is also widespread fear that WHO might even raise the alert level to the highest 6 in a couple of days as the virus spread shows no sign of abating. "It’s clear that the virus is spreading and we don’t see any evidence of this slowing down at this point,” said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The H1N1 virus has quickly spread throughout the world due to a combination of international travel and person-to-person transmission, he said. The virus -H1N1 strain of influenza virus -has been largely mild in nature outside of Mexico. In Mexico the virus is the suspected cause of more than 150 deaths.
The latest update from the WHO came on the same day that U.S. officials confirmed the first swine flu death outside of Mexico. The victim was a 2-year old child in Texas, US.
Authorities are still trying to determine why the majority of swine flu cases outside of Mexico have been much milder than where the virus was first identified. No swine flu cases have been identified in Egypt, though two cases have been reported in neighbouring Israel.
WHO has raised the alert level to Level Five following a third emergency meeting in response to a spike in swine flu cases world wide.
During phases five and six, countries are advised to “implement contingency plans for health systems at all levels”.
Post-peak period: Levels of pandemic influenza in most countries with adequate surveillance have dropped below peak levels. Countries are advised to “rest, restock resources, revise plans and rebuild essential services”.
Post-pandemic period: Levels of influenza activity have returned to the levels seen for seasonal influenza in most countries with adequate surveillance. Countries are advised to “evaluate the response of the health system to the pandemic and share the lessons learned.”
Source : http://www.dancewithshadows.com/pillscribe/who-raises-swine-flu-pandemic-alert-to-level-five/
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