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Swine flu
World Health Organisation raises alert level
Article published on the 2009-04-28 Latest update 2009-04-29 07:50 TU
People wear masks to avoid catching the swine flu virus in Mexico City, 24 April 2009.
(Photo: AFP)
The swine flu outbreak entered a dangerous phase Tuesday, as an official at the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the virus could no longer be contained. The WHO raised its international alert level to Phase 4, meaning there is sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus causing outbreaks in at least one country.
"Containment is not a feasible operation", said WHO Assistant Director General Keiji Fukuda. Countries should now focus on mitigating the effects of the virus, he recommended.
Mexico raised its death toll to 152, saying that it believes more than 2,000 people have been infected. In the US, the number of confirmed cases rose to 50, though no one has died yet. Worldwide there were 79 confirmed cases, including six in Canada, one in Spain and two in Scotland.
One woman, who has been identified in South Korea could, if confirmed, become Asia's first case. There are also "several" suspected cases in China, the WHO's local representative said Tuesday.
The WHO’s alert system was revised after bird flu in Asia began to spread in 2004, and Monday was the first time it was raised above Phase 3.
Interview: Ilaria Capua, Virology dept of Experimental Zooprophilatic Institute
Putting an alert at Phases 4 or 5 signals that the virus is becoming increasingly adept at spreading among humans. That move could lead governments to set trade, travel and other restrictions aimed at limiting its spread.
Phase 6 is for a full-blown pandemic, characterized by outbreaks in at least two regions of the world.
“We are in the most critical moment of the epidemic. The number of cases will keep rising, so we have to reinforce preventative measures," said Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova.
It could take 4-6 months before the first batch of vaccines are available to fight the virus, WHO officials said.
 WHO confirms threat level, at least 16 countries confirm cases |
