Global Arab Network | Pandemic fears grow as swine flu cases rise

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Pandemic fears grow as swine flu cases rise

Global Arab Network - - Maha Karim

Tuesday, 28 April 2009 10:46

World Health Organization increased its alert level on the deadly disease, saying containment of the outbreak wasn't feasible. WHO says the virus, which has killed more than 150 people in Mexico, is showing a "sustained ability" to pass from human to human and is able to cause community-level outbreaks.
The WHO Director-General has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from the current phase 3 to phase 4.

The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.

As further information becomes available, WHO may decide to either revert to phase 3 or raise the level of alert to another phase.

This decision was based primarily on epidemiological data demonstrating human-to-human transmission and the ability of the virus to cause community-level outbreaks.

Given the widespread presence of the virus, the Director-General considered that containment of the outbreak is not feasible. The current focus should be on mitigation measures.

The Director-General recommended not to close borders and not to restrict international travel. It was considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention.

The Director-General considered that production of seasonal influenza vaccine should continue at this time, subject to re-evaluation as the situation evolves. WHO will facilitate the process needed to develop a vaccine effective against A/H1N1 virus.

The Director-General stressed that all measures should conform with the purpose and scope of the International Health Regulations.

Israel confirms swine flu

An Israeli hospital has confirmed the country's first case of swine flu but said the patient has fully recovered.

Hospital officials say the 26-year-old patient recently returned from Mexico.

Laniado Hospital's medical director said Israeli Health Ministry laboratory tests confirmed swine flu.

Dr Avinoam Skolnik said he did not know whether the strain is the same one that appeared in Mexico.

Skolnik said the patient is in "excellent condition". The hospital is located in Netanya, a coastal city north of Tel Aviv.

No other details were immediately available.(Press Association)

Spain confirms second flu case

Spanish authorities have confirmed a second case of swine flu, this time in a patient in the region of Valencia, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez said earlier on Tuesday that 26 suspected cases were under investigation.(Reuters)

New Zealand confirms at least three cases

At least three people have been confirmed as New Zealand's first swine flu cases but a total of 10 are assumed to have caught the virus, Health Minister Tony Ryall said Tuesday.

"Unfortunately tonight we can confirm New Zealanders have tested positive to swine flu," Ryall told a press conference.

The nine students and one teacher, who authorities said were recovering from the virus, were among a group of 25 people from an Auckland high school who returned from Mexico on Saturday.

Global Arab Network

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