World Health Organization Declares A Global Pandemic

Yesterday, The World Health Organization (WHO) announced to the public that they were raising the current swine flu from the current phase of 5 to their highest level of phase 6.  The WHO sets has declared this phase as being the official indicator that a global pandemic is underway.

It is important to note however that even though phase 6 has been declared in this pandemic, it does not mean the severity of the strain has gained strength.  It is merely an indicator of how widespread the flu has become.

In her press statement the other day, Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization said:

This particular H1N1 strain has not circulated previously in humans. The virus is entirely new.

The virus is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. As of today, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries.

She continued her statement,

We know, too, that this early, patchy picture can change very quickly. The virus writes the rules and this one, like all influenza viruses, can change the rules, without rhyme or reason, at any time.

Globally, we have good reason to believe that this pandemic, at least in its early days, will be of moderate severity. As we know from experience, severity can vary, depending on many factors, from one country to another.

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.

However, in the statement it is important to note that there is also a focus on developing countries, as health care, preparedness, and resources are not of the level of developed nations, and as such, the population may still be at a greater risk. The director herself states this clearly when she said that “although the pandemic appears to have moderate severity in comparatively well-off countries, it is prudent to anticipate a bleaker picture as the virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical problems.”

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