World Health Organization raises pandemic level

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a stage six pandemic, raising its pandemic level from stage five. The organization raised its level to stage six to reflect widespread worldwide cases of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. The H1N1 virus has thus far produced mild flu symptoms, except in those with underlying medical conditions. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) the current H1N1 mortality rate is .14 percent in the United States and a worldwide mortality rate of .6 percent. WHO announced the emergence of a novel influenza A virus in late April. Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization noted that, although this particular H1N1 strain has not circulated previously in humans, the virus is entirely new. It is contagious and spreads easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. As of June 11, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries. Chan stated that the world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic and that we are in the earliest days of the pandemic. Chan added, the virus writes the rules and this one, like all influenza viruses, can change the rules, without rhyme or reason, at any time. Globally, we have good reason to believe that this pandemic, at least in its early days, will be of moderate severity. As we know from experience, severity can vary, depending on many factors, from one country to another. On present evidence, the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment. Worldwide, the number of deaths is small. Each and every one of these deaths is tragic, and we have to brace ourselves to see more. However, we do not expect to see a sudden and dramatic jump in the number of severe or fatal infections. The novel H1N1 virus preferentially infects younger people. In nearly all areas with large and sustained outbreaks, the majority of cases have occurred in people under the age of 25 years. In some of these countries, around 2% of cases have developed severe illness, often with very rapid progression to life-threatening pneumonia. Most cases of severe and fatal infections have been in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years. This pattern is significantly different from that seen during epidemics of seasonal influenza, when most deaths occur in frail elderly people. Many, though not all, severe cases have occurred in people with underlying chronic conditions. Based on limited, preliminary data, conditions most frequently seen include respiratory diseases, notably asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and obesity. At the same time, it is important to note that around one third to half of the severe and fatal infections are occurring in previously healthy young and middle-aged people. Without question, pregnant women are at increased risk of complications. This heightened risk takes on added importance for a virus, like this one, that preferentially infects younger age groups. More than 99% of maternal deaths, which are a marker of poor quality care during pregnancy and childbirth, occurs in the developing world. Around 85% of the burden of chronic diseases is concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. Although the pandemic appears to have moderate severity in comparatively well-off countries, it is prudent to anticipate a bleaker picture as the virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical problems. A characteristic feature of pandemics is their rapid spread to all parts of the world. In the previous century, this spread has typically taken around 6 to 9 months, even during times when most international travel was by ship or rail. Countries should prepare to see cases, or the further spread of cases, in the near future. Countries where outbreaks appear to have peaked should prepare for a second wave of infection.