# 3322
Although the press conference, scheduled for 12:00pm EDT by the WHO to make an announcement regarding the spread of the H1N1 `swine flu’ virus is still an hour away, numerous news sources are telling us the obvious:
That the WHO is declaring a full blown pandemic.
Since it first gained the world’s attention roughly six weeks ago, there’s been little reason to believe that this virus could be contained.
Today’s announcement is simply putting the official seal on something that has been pretty much a foregone conclusion for several weeks.
WHO DECLARES GLOBAL SWINE FLU PANDEMIC
Students in Hong Kong where the government has closed all primary schools for two weeks
Thursday June 11,2009
By Emily Garnham for express.co.uk
THE WORLD Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the first global swine flu pandemic in 41 years.
Health experts had widely expected the infection to be raised to pandemic level six, since it first emerged in Mexico and America in April.
In a statement released today, WHO said: "At this early stage, the pandemic can be characterised globally as being moderate in severity."
It urged nations not to close borders or restrict travel and trade, adding: "(We) remain in close dialogue with influenza vaccine manufacturers."
The last pandemic - the Hong Kong flu of 1968 - killed around one million people while the common flu virus kills about 250,000 to 500,000 people each year.
The new flu strain, dubbed A(H1N1), has spread to 74 countries around the globe, killing 141 people.
For information about what this might mean to you, your family, and your business, you might wish to check out:
An Appropriate Level Of Concern
This blog, along with many of the flu resources in my sidebar, will continue to bring you the best information available on this evolving story.
The focus of this blog, in particular, is on preparing to meet the challenges that this pandemic may throw our way.
A pandemic is a marathon, not a sprint, with often subtle and incremental changes in the threat level around us. The world may remain under the threat of this pandemic for many months.
Taking all of this seriously, staying informed, and taking steps to prepare now are all things that everyone should be doing.
Calmly, rationally, and with due diligence.
This is a global health crisis, yes.
But it doesn’t have to become a disaster for you and your community. We are not helpless in a pandemic.
Unless, of course, we choose to be.
