WHO Set to Announce Global Swine Flu Pandemic

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Margaret Chan, has warned against complacency over the swine flu threat. Photo by daylife.com

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Margaret Chan, has suggested that they are set to raise the alert over the spead of swine flu.

She indicated the WHO was likely to raise its flu alert level to the top of its six-point scale - meaning the virus had spread between different regions and a global pandemic was under way, the BBC reported.

"We hope the virus fizzles out, because if it doesn't we are heading for a big outbreak," WHO chief Margaret Chan told the UK's Financial Times.

But she stressed this did not necessarily mean every country would be affected or that there would be many more deaths.

As of Monday, the WHO said 1,003 cases of the virus had been officially reported across 20 countries, with person-to-person transmission confirmed in six countries.

Mexico may reopen schools and businesses on Wednesday after reporting a fall in swine flu cases, the country's government has said.

The shutdown is credited with stemming the spread of the virus - suspected of claiming 101 lives in Mexico - but has badly affected the country's economy.

While only one death has been reported outside Mexico, UN health officials warn against international complacency.
The World Health Organization said the real test would come with seasonal flu.

 

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