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The WHO (World Health Organization) met today to discuss the rapidly evolving swine flu situation.
While no change in the world’s pandemic alert level was announced, the WHO has determined that the Swine Flu outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
They are urging international cooperation and surveillance.
Further information is needed, they say, before they can decide the appropriateness of maintaining the current pandemic level.
A hat tip to SophiaZoe at A Pandemic Chronicle for posting this link.
Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan
25 April 2009Swine influenza
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Health topic: financial crisis and global health
Current WHO phase of pandemic alert
International Health Regulations (IHR)In response to cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), reported in Mexico and the United States of America, the Director-General convened a meeting of the Emergency Committee to assess the situation and advise her on appropriate responses.
The establishment of the Committee, which is composed of international experts in a variety of disciplines, is in compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005).
The first meeting of the Emergency Committee was held on Saturday 25 April 2009.
After reviewing available data on the current situation, Committee members identified a number of gaps in knowledge about the clinical features, epidemiology, and virology of reported cases and the appropriate responses.
The Committee advised that answers to several specific questions were needed to facilitate its work.
The Committee nevertheless agreed that the current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
Based on this advice, the Director-General has determined that the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern, under the Regulations.
Concerning public health measures, in line with the Regulations the Director-General is recommending, on the advice of the Committee, that all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.
The Committee further agreed that more information is needed before a decision could be made concerning the appropriateness of the current phase 3.
