The swine flu pandemic
Jun. 11, 2009 -- It's official. The world is experiencing its first pandemic since The Hong Kong Flu of 1968 after the World Health Organization raised its swine flu alert level from a 5 to a 6 today.
What's a pandemic?
The word "pandemic" has a way of making some people take notice while it can incite panic in others. But representatives of the World Health Organization caution against excessive worry over the level 6 status of this virus.
Keiji Fukuda, acting WHO assistant director-general, explained in a recent teleconference that a "phase 6" alert merely reflects the geographic spread of the disease. "It does not mean that the severity of the situation has increased or that people are getting seriously sick at higher numbers or higher rates," Fukuda said.
Rapid spread of the influenza A/H1N1 virus beyond North America is part of the criteria that would trigger the Phase 6 pandemic designation. Australia is the latest country to report rapidly climbing swine flu infection rates, likely prompting the WHO's alert level adjustment.
Swine flu worldwide: Confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1
The United States reports the greatest number of lab-confirmed cases of swine flu, with 13,217* people contracting the virus in that country. Mexico has the second-highest number of cases, with 6,241; followed by Canada with the third largest incidence at 2,446 infections.
*WHO data, current as of June 11, 2009.
Worldwide, there have been 28,774 cases but it's important to note that most are mild, requiring no medical intervention, and only 144 have resulted in death. Many of those who came down with severe illness -– or died -- from the swine flu had underlying conditions that interfered with their ability to fight off infection.
Swine flu symptoms
The swine flu leaves those who are infected with typical flu-like symptoms such as fever, aching muscles, fatigue, a sore throat and a runny nose. It can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and is particularly challenging for those with a weakened immune system.
If you think you have the swine flu...
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