Tag Archives: World Health Organization

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

TODAY’S UPDATE – WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

At today’s (May 22) closing session of the World Health Organization’s week-long annual congress, WHO chief Margaret Chan stated that countries need to be prepared for the H1N1 flu virus.  It is being closely watched in the southern hemisphere, where winter season is starting.

She stated that because it is a subtle, sneaky virus, it could mix with seasonal flu and mutate in “unpredictable ways”.  It is an airborne virus the same as the common flu, and is still showing up in new countries on a daily basis.  The latest totals show approximately 11,000 people have contacted the virus in 42 countries.  The largest groups now are Japan – 294; Spain – 113; and Britain – 112.

In a related press release, the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia reported that various tests have shown that persons over 60 seem to have a built-up immunity to the virus.  Cases in the United States have affected younger persons, up to ages 50+.  Much more research will need to be done regarding the theory about the over-60 age group.

The CDC says we are not “out of the woods” yet, and still need to be vigilant in watching this virus.

Source: Reuters
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Uncategorized

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ASSESSMENTS

2 Comments

To help you understand how the WHO assesses the potential for a global influenza outbreak, we have listed:

  • Phase 1. No viruses circulating among animals have caused infections in humans.
  • Phase 2. Virus among animals have caused infections in humans; considered a threat.
  • Phase 3. Animal virus/animal-human virus causes some cases or small clusters of flu; doesn’t spread easily.
  • Phase 4. Human-to-human transmission of flu causes sustained outbreaks in community.
  • Phase 5. Flu spreads to at least two countries, causing bigger outbreaks.
  • Phase 6. More outbreaks in at least two world regions; pandemic underway.

This latest declaration of Phase 5 by the World Health Organization indicates that a pandemic could be imminent.  New cases and deaths finally seem to be leveling off in Mexico, but the threat is serious enough to step up all efforts to produce a vaccine for this type of influenza.

An unknown factor also playing out is the economic impact this will have.  Mexico, in addition to dealing with the illness, is also seeing a decline in tourism and having to close many of their gyms, restaurants, swimming pools, and other places.  Companies such as Honda, Caterpillar, and Xerox have restricted their expatriate workers from traveling south of the border at this time.

Many economic analysts feel that the economic fallout for the U.S. will be limited.  If the swine flu threat is contained, hopefully, it will have only short-term effects.  Knowing that the disease has not been terribly virulent outside of Mexico adds to the idea that it will not be a major epidemic.  Better advances in medicine and public health policies enhance the ability to monitor emergency illnesses, thereby preventing the world from being advanced to Phase 6.