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 needsSee full article here.
