Swine flu pandemic level raised from phase 4 to phase 5: pandemic imminent

Last night (Wednesday 29th April), the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised the swine influenza alert level from phase 4 to 5. The change from phase 4 to phase 5 alert means "human- to-human spread of the virus into at least two countris in one WHO region" has occurred. Confirmation of human-to-human transmission of the virus in the U.S.A, in addition to Mexico prompted the change.

WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan called on all countries put their influenza pandemic plans into action. These include providing the public with information and carrying out measures to limit the spread of infection such as enhanced surveillance and early detection and treatment of cases.

In the UK there have been five confirmed cases, and fourteen more in other European Union countries, including Austia (1), Germany (3) and Spain (10). All European Union confirmed cases have been associated with travel to Mexico, with the exception of one case from Spain where transmission of the virus at home has occurred. Two suspected cases in France are awaiting laboratory results. The U.S has reported its first death due to the new strain of influenza, and the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) have also reported more severe forms of illness caused by the virus.

The Department of Health's Catch it, Bin it, Kill it advertising campaign aimed at promoting good hygeine to help reduce your risk of infection starts today.

As part of a nation wide advertising campaign, households throughout the UK are to be sent leaflets containing information about swine flu, how it spreads, how to reduce the risk of infection and what the governmant will do if their is a pandemic. The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson said in a statement :

"Phase five indicates that the WHO considers a global pandemic to be imminent, whereas at phase four a global pandemic is not inevitable. A change to phase five is a signal to countries’ governments to ramp up their pandemic preparations - which we are already doing. We have been planning for a situation like this for some years. "

WHO pandemic alert levels

*Phase 1 - *Viruses circulating in animals. No animal - to- human transmission.

*Phase 2 - *Animal influenza virus has caused an infection in humans. Potential pandemic threat.

*Phase 3 - * A 'new' influenza virus strain causes sporadic or clusters of cases. Limited human-to-human transmsission, insufficient to sustain a community level outbreak community

*Phase 4 - *Confirmed human-to-human transmission of the 'new' viral strain, able to cause community level outbreaks. Pandemic threat, but not a forgone conclusion.

*Phase 5 - Human -to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. Strong signal pandemic is imminent. Time to implement pandemic plan. *

*Phase 6 - *Community level outbreaks in a different countries. Global pandemic underway.

More information

The Department of Health's* Catch it, Bin it, Kill it* advert promoting good hygeine and reducing your risk of infection and swine flu leaflet : www.dh.gov.uk

For the latest information on swine flu, telephone 0800 1 513 513 or www.nhs.uk

If you have flu-like symptoms and have recently returned from Mexico or another affected area, or been in contact with someone who has:

• telephone your GP (don't visit the surgery, you may pass the infection on to others)
• contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647

If you are planning to travel abroad, check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice at www.fco.gov.travel

This article was published on Thu 30 April 2009