The current WHO phase of pandemic alert for avian influenza A(H5N1) is: ALERT
# 7410
A little over a week ago the World Health Organization released their (interim) updated guidance on influenza (and other) pandemics (see WHO Unveils New Pandemic Guidance).
Among the changes was the announcement of a new, 4 tier, pandemic phase alert system;
- Interpandemic Phase
- Alert Phase
- Pandemic Phase
- Transition Phase
We are currently in the Alert Phase for H5N1, H7N9, and the MERS coronavirus, which places the world’s health agencies in a mixed preparedness and response mode.
Yesterday the WHO released the following updated Pandemic Phase assessment for the H5N1 virus, the first since this new system was announced.
Current WHO global phase of pandemic alert: Avian Influenza A(H5N1)
Current phase of global alert according to criteria described in the WHO Pandemic Influenza Risk Management Interim Guidance
The pandemic influenza phases reflect WHO’s risk assessment of the global situation regarding each influenza virus with pandemic potential that is infecting humans. These assessments are made initially when such viruses are identified and are updated based on evolving virological, epidemiological and clinical data. The phases provide a high-level, global view of the evolving picture.
As pandemic viruses emerge, countries and regions face different risks at different times. For that reason, countries are strongly advised to develop their own national risk assessments based on local circumstances, taking into consideration the information provided by the global assessments produced by WHO. Risk management decisions by countries are therefore expected to be informed by global risk assessments, but based on local risk assessments.
The current WHO phase of pandemic alert for avian influenza A(H5N1) is: ALERT
Alert phase: This is the phase when influenza caused by a new subtype1 has been identified in humans. Increased vigilance and careful risk assessment, at local, national and global levels, are characteristic of this phase. If the risk assessments indicate that the new virus is not developing into a pandemic strain, a de-escalation of activities towards those in the interpandemic phase may occur.Please consult the interim guidance document for complete information on pandemic phases:
More information on avian influenza H5N1 in humans can be found at the:
1 The IHR (2005) Annex 2 includes “human influenza caused by a new subtype” among the four specified diseases for which a case is necessarily considered “unusual or unexpected and may have serious public health impact, and thus shall be notified” in all circumstances to WHO.
While news of H5N1 has been eclipsed in recent months by the emerging H7N9 avian flu virus in China and MERS-CoV on the Arabian peninsula, H5N1 remains endemic and a threat in a number of countries, including Egypt, Indonesia, Vietnam and China.
As the WHO indicated at the end of March (2 days before we learned of H7N9) in WER: Update On Human Cases Of Influenza At Human-Animal Interface, the risks posed by the H5N1 virus, along with other emerging influenza viruses, remain very real.
In the discussion portion of that report, the authors write:
Influenza viruses are unpredictable. Their constant evolving nature raises concerns that these viruses could adapt or reassort with other influenza viruses, thereby gaining potential to become more transmissible to or more pathogenic in humans.
Continued monitoring of the occurrence of human infections with non-seasonal influenza viruses and ongoing characterization of the viruses to assess their pandemic risk are therefore critically important for public health.
Close collaboration with animal health partners allows information regarding viruses circulating in animal populations and human populations worldwide to be shared to improve assessment of global influenza risks to health.
WHO continues to stress the importance of global
monitoring of influenza viruses and recommends all
Member States to strengthen routine influenza surveillance. All human infections with non-seasonal influenza viruses should be reported to WHO under the International Health Regulations (2005).
