www.alertnet.org

 

 

 27 Apr 2009 19:39:19 GMT

 

WHO revises scale for pandemic alerts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENEVA, April 27 (Reuters) – The World Health Organisation (WHO) revised on Monday its 6-point scale for pandemic alerts, saying that phase 5 would correspond to a strong signal that a pandemic is “imminent”.

 

The revised scale was published ahead of a decision by an advisory body of experts on whether to raise the alert level from the current level of 3.

 

In a report posted on its website, the WHO said that under the new criteria: * Phase 4 is characterised by human-to-human spread of a new virus able to cause community-level outbreaks * Phase 5 is characterised by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one region * Phase 6 is a global pandemic characterised by widespread outbreaks in more than one region.

 

“While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalise the organisation, communication and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short,” it said. 

 

 

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LR643862.htm

Popularity: 1% [?]