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Alert to All Nations !!!

A Pandemic Is Declared

 

 

 

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.

More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. This number has been increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.

WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. It’s uncertain at this time how serious or severe this novel H1N1 pandemic will be in terms of how many people infected will develop serious complications or die from novel H1N1 infection. Experience with this virus so far is limited and influenza is unpredictable. However, because novel H1N1 is a new virus, many people may have little or no immunity against it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against novel H1N1 virus.

 

Background

 

 

Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that first caused illness in Mexico and the United States in March and April, 2009. It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus, but it may also be spread by touching infected objects and then touching your nose or mouth. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a wide range of flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

COMMENTS
Hhwind said at 6:54 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Thanks Doc.the world wide pandemic alert raised to level 6 as you said is not related to the severity of the illness, but there confusion over this and my country is suffering from this more than the illness itself as tourism is the No. 2 earner in my country.
Lageho said at 7:39 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Yes, I reed in the todays newspaper we get it in Sweden now. We are alert now.
Tishfish said at 7:58 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
We also have it here, but nothing severe, not even regular flu severity, but we all are being cautious about touching items like grocery carts, wipes are provided, and most people are buying masks just in case they get it and don't wish to spread it. We are not getting alarmed too much about it, but we are not being foolish either. It will eventually burn itself out, or we will get immune to it hopefully.
Krisu said at 8:12 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
We have some cases in Finland, too. turists who came back from a holiday....
Wildthing said at 8:26 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
I think our biggest universal enemy will prove to be a virus of such complexity and severity, that we will be all but decimated by it. Hopefully that day is a long, long way off.
NeusinhaGedoz said at 8:27 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Good idea. Esta ideia, vinda de você, Enaldo, ficou "nos trinques". Adorei. Parabéns.
Eduardo.affonso said at 10:31 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
I stayed for some days under quarantine, after arriving from Japan & Texas, with symptoms of swine flu - but it was just an ordinary (yet severe) flu. I may be wrong, but I think dengue, malaria and other tropical diseases are much more dangerous than this flu - and kill much more people.
Eduardo.affonso said at 10:32 a.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
oops, "many" more people, instead of "much" more. Sorry. My brain was probably affected by the high fever...
Moabjeeper said at 12:59 p.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Thanks for the alert. We have had some cases here but not very wide spread.
Swedfinn said at 5:02 p.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Thanks for info! It is propably the price we have to pay for all well fare we have achieved by modern technology.
Liliana said at 5:49 p.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Thank you.
Here it is a quite caotic situation. From next Monday schools will be closed in the capital city (Buenos Aires) and in Buenos Aires State. By other way, six or seven states have done it from yesterday. Really, I think it is not enough, but... Politicians doesn´t think , always, in people.
RosaneMar said at 9:47 p.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Enaldo, pude perceber que esse espaço, além de culturale muito agradável, também torna-se um meio de informação .Obrigada por enaltecer o lado da saúde pública.
Ira said at 10:23 p.m. on Jul 1, 2009:
Thanks for the information. Moist and cold climate in Russia is the reason for the epidemics of influenza. Especially in winter. Only not this virus.
Debdog said at 12:39 p.m. on Jul 3, 2009:
the BEST THING people can do to prevent spread of illness is COVER YOUR COUGH, and WASH YOUR HANDS !!!!!!!!!many community acquired and hospital acquired illnesses are prevent by simple hand washing after touching things and using the restroom..WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!!!! and....if your doctor , nurse or other health care provider comes to you and does not wash hands or wear gloves...SPEAK UP>>>ASK THEM TO
thanks Doc!!! :) the Nurse will step off her podium now :) LOL
DocEna said at 3:51 p.m. on Jul 3, 2009:
DEBRA is absolutely right about hygiene..COVER YOUR COUGH AND WASH YOUR HANDS...recommended by WHO...WORLD HEALTH ORG.
Ira said at 5:53 p.m. on Jul 3, 2009:
Eat garlic and onion. Ancient Russian prescription
Pattymaryclare said at 4:16 p.m. on Oct 30, 2009:
how KARMIC is viewing THIS today? In the mail was the Cdn government BIG ALERT card to be kept and WATCHFUL for H1N1....(IT ALSO RECOMMENDS COUGHING INTO ARM!!!! not hand I THINK that's a great way to prevent WAY MORE virus/germs etc) and LAST NITE IRA AND ALL OTHERS...read all about KEEPING ONION PEEDLED with FORK stuck in it in a JAR -IF IT'S BLACK IN A.M. it got all the germs!!!IN EACH ROOM as well INPEELED as we all know the garlic really works too! THIS AND one of mikes WILL BE FEATURE tabs in 'msg in a tab' TY Doc Enaldo !!! xox and stay healthy EVERYONE! xox Patty
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