Swine Flu Update: World Health Org. Issues Phase 4 Pandemic Alert

This just in – officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a press conference today that they have raised the Swine Flu Pandemic Alert level to 4.

Swine Flu Pandemic Alert Level 4

Explanation of the Swine Flu Pandemic Alert Level 4 from the WHO official website:

Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.

Also, we’re not sure why, but when you visit the page on the WHO official website listed above, look at the URL of the page in your browser’s address bar …/avian_influenza/… is in the URL instead of Swine Influenza.

Related posts:

1. Swine Flu: Pandemic Alert Level 5 Issued by World Health Organization
2. WHO Warns Swine Flu Outbreak Could become Worldwide Pandemic
3. ALERT: Official U.S. Swine Flu Outbreak Notice Issued by CDC
4. Swine Flu Pandemic: how you can be prepared
5. That was quick: Swine Flu Pandemic kit now available on Amazon