WHO head indicates full flu pandemic to be declared

[snowdays]

Source: Reuters





WHO head indicates full flu pandemic to be declared




Mon May 4, 2009 7:30am EDT



By Ben Harding and Laura MacInnis

MADRID/GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization is likely to raise its flu alert to the top of its six-point scale and declare a pandemic, its director-general indicated in an interview published on Monday.

In remarks setting the scene for another alert increase, but without saying when, WHO chief Margaret Chan warned against over-confidence following a stabilization in the number of new cases of the H1N1 strain that has proved deadly in Mexico.

"Level 6 does not mean, in any way, that we are facing the end of the world. It is important to make this clear because (otherwise) when we announce level 6 it will cause an unnecessary panic," she told Spanish newspaper El Pais.

"Flu viruses are very unpredictable, very deceptive ... We should not be over-confident. One must not give H1N1 the opportunity to mix with other viruses. That is why we are on alert."

The WHO's pandemic phases reflect views about how a virus is spreading, and not how severe its effects are...................

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5431DI20090504

[seemslikeadream]

1. opportunity to mix with other viruses.

It's just not what is happening now but what may happen, that's why I want to watch this closely

[marshall]

4. Now they're saying something about it jumping back to pigs and back again to human?

I thought the rhetoric was that pigs weren't involved, that calling it swine flu was innacurate, that the Egyptians didn't know what they were doing by slaughtering all their pigs, and that the correct term was H1N1? Do these people know what they're talking about?

[sabra]

2. Update: WHO may not raise flu pandemic alert - UN's Ban

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N04397653.htm

04 May 2009 14:09:04 GMT


UNITED NATIONS, May 4 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization does not plan to raise its pandemic alert to the highest level if the current outbreak of a deadly new strain of flu continues as is, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.

Addressing an informal session of the U.N. General Assembly on the outbreak, Ban said World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan had told him "that if the situation remains as it is, WHO has no plan to raise the alert level to 6 at this moment."

Chan, addressing the conference by videolink from Geneva, said the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza reported to the WHO had passed the 1,000 mark to stand at 1,003 from 20 countries.

But she said there was "no indication that we are facing a situation similar to that in 1918," when a flu pandemic killed tens of millions.

[snowdays]

3. thanks for the update.

[uppityperson]

5. Thank you. It is all over but don't induce panic by raising level. Info on avoiding it....

http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/masks_community/en/index.html


Influenza A (H1N1) outbreaks
Interim guidance
3 May 2009
This document provides interim guidance on the use of masks in communities that have
reported community-level outbreaks caused by the new Influenza A(H1N1) virus. It will be
revised as more data become available.

Background
At present, evidence suggests that the main route of human-to-human transmission of the new
Influenza A (H1N1) virus is via respiratory droplets, which are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing.

Any person who is in close contact (approximately 1 metre) with someone who has influenza-like
symptoms (fever, sneezing, coughing, running nose, chills, muscle ache etc) is at risk of being exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets.
In health-care settings, studies evaluating measures to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses suggest that the use of masks could reduce the transmission of influenza. Advice on the use of masks in health-care settings is accompanied by information on additional measures that may have impact on its effectiveness, such as training on correct use, regular supplies and proper disposal facilities. In the community, however, the benefits of wearing masks has not been established, especially in open areas, as opposed to enclosed spaces while in close contact with a person with influenza-like symptoms.

Nonetheless, many individuals may wish to wear masks in the home or community setting,
particularly if they are in close contact with a person with influenza-like symptoms, for example while providing care to family members. Furthermore, using a mask can enable an individual with influenza-like symptoms to cover their mouth and nose to help contain respiratory droplets,a measure that is part of cough etiquette.

Using a mask incorrectly however, may actually increase the risk of transmission, rather
than reduce it. If masks are to be used, this measure should be combined with other
general measures to help prevent the human-to-human transmission of influenza, training
on the correct use of masks and consideration of cultural and personal values.

General advice
It is important to remember that in the community setting the following general measures
may be more important than wearing a mask in preventing the spread of influenza.
For individuals who are well:
Maintain distance of at least 1 metre from any individual with influenza-like symptoms, and:
• refrain from touching mouth and nose;
• perform hand hygiene frequently, by washing with soap and water or using an alcoholbased
handrub 3 , especially if touching the mouth and nose and surfaces that are potentially contaminated;
• reduce as much as possible the time spent in close contact with people who might be ill;
• reduce as much as possible the time spent in crowded settings;
• improve airflow in your living space by opening windows as much as possible.

For individuals with influenza-like symptoms:
• stay at home if you feel unwell and follow the local public health recommendations;
• keep distance from well individuals as much as possible (at least 1 metre);
• cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, with tissues or other suitable
materials, to contain respiratory secretions. Dispose of the material immediately after use
or wash it. Clean hands immediately after contact with respiratory secretions!
• improve airflow in your living space by opening windows as much as possible.

If masks are worn, proper use and disposal is essential to ensure they are potentially
effective and to avoid any increase in risk of transmission associated with the incorrect
use of masks. The following information on correct use of masks derives from the practices in
health-care settings:
• place mask carefully to cover mouth and nose and tie securely to minimise any gaps
between the face and the mask
• while in use, avoid touching the mask
− whenever you touch a used mask, for example when removing or washing, clean
hands by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based handrub
• replace masks with a new clean, dry mask as soon as they become damp/humid
• do not re-use single-use masks
− discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of them immediately upon
removing.

Although some alternative barriers to standard medical masks are frequently used (e.g. cloth
mask, scarf, paper masks, rags tied over the nose and mouth), there is insufficient information available on their effectiveness. If such alternative barriers are used, they should only be used once or, in the case of cloth masks, should be cleaned thoroughly between each use (i.e. wash with normal household detergent at normal temperature). They should be removed immediatelyafter caring for the ill. Hands should be washed immediately after removal of the mask.

[Mojorabbit]

6. Policitcs at work

If it shows community spreading in Europe like it looks like what is starting to happen it should be raised to 6 per their own definition. Economy trumps public health.