Swine Flu Alert Now on Level 5!!!

An article from the Reuters...

(Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its global alert system to 5 on a 6-point scale, indicating a pandemic is imminent, as swine flu cases spread around the world.

Health experts believe it is a only a matter of time before the WHO raises the alert to phase 6, confirming a pandemic is in progress, because the disease is spreading in a sustained way from person to person in more than two regions of the world.

In both phases 5 and 6, the WHO calls on countries to implement their national pandemic plans.

The following are recommended actions for countries to take in phases 5 and 6 according to the WHO's Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response guidance document, revised this week:

In general the WHO does not encourage:

* pandemic-related international border closures for people and or cargo

* general disinfection of the environment during a pandemic

* use of masks in the community by well persons

* restriction of travel within national borders during a pandemic (except in a globally led rapid response and containment operation)

1. Planning and coordination

Affected countries

* maintain trust with public through commitment to transparency and credible actions

* designate special status as needed e.g. state of emergency

* provide leadership and coordination to mitigate the social and economic impact of a pandemic

* work for rational, ethical and transparent access to resources

* assess whether external assistance needed for humanitarian needs


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