The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak to be a pandemic. The agency decided to raise the pandemic alert level from Phase 5 to 6 based on the rising number of cases seen in Australia and Asia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak to be a pandemic. The agency decided to raise the pandemic alert level from Phase 5 to 6 based on the rising number of cases seen in Australia and Asia. Throughout the world, more than 28,000 cases have been reported in 74 countries. The increasing incidence shows that the H1N1 virus is spreading from person to person in a sustained manner outside of North America.
The WHO stressed that the increase in the pandemic alert level does not reflect an increase in the virulence of the H1N1 influenza. The agency characterized the disease as "moderate in severity."