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Swine flu outbreak

WHO says worldwide swine flu pandemic imminent

Article published on the 2009-04-30 Latest update 2009-04-30 10:01 TU

A member of staff at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan wearing a mask to protect himself against the swine flu outbreak on 30 April 2009(Photo: Reuters)

A member of staff at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan wearing a mask to protect himself against the swine flu outbreak on 30 April 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

As of Wednesday evening the World Health Organisation reported that 148 cases of swine flu in nine countries had been officially reported. They have raised the warning level to phase five and warned that countries should put in place their emergency plans for tackling a pandemic.

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In Mexico, which is thought to be the origin of the outbreak, there are eight confirmed deaths from swine influenza, while 91 people in the country infected with the virus, are reported to still be healthy.

According to WHO, other countries with confirmed laboratory cases include:

  • Austria – 1
  • Canada – 13
  • Germany – 3
  • Israel – 2
  • New Zealand – 3
  • Spain – 4
  • UK – 5
  • USA – 91

The only death outside of Mexico, remains a toddler who died in the US on Wednesday.

Phase five of WHO’s warning system means widespread human-to-human transmission is imminent. And they are still relying on reducing human contact in order to fight the outbreak.

But WHO does not advise any restrictions to regular travel or closure of borders, although there have been calls for a travel ban. Instead it is promoting regular washing of hands, and tells people to seek medical attention immediately if they notice any symptoms.

There were some doubts on Thursday whether thermal scanners installed in airports would help to stop the spread of the virus.

The scanners detect high temperatures and alert officials as to whether a person is suffering from a fever. But the technology is not foolproof and does not necessarily help if those infected are not yet symptomatic.

Elsewhere, although WHO has reiterated that consumption of pork products will not lead to infection, Egypt is planning a massive cull of pigs.

The country says a cull of around 250,000 swine could begin on Saturday, as a precautionary measure, despite the UN stating that there was no evidence that animals could spread the disease.