pandemic flu

Are the current cases of swine fever affecting people in various countries throughout the world deserving of the word pandemic?

As of today, not yet, according the the World Health Organization (WHO). They are currently classifying the influenza A(H1N1) virus at level 5, one below 6 which indicates a global pandemic.

So while it hasn’t yet reached pandemic proportions, the WHO website states -

 At phase 5 a pandemic is considered imminent.

So the virus is certainly something we need to be aware of.

The UK government Department of Health’s website lists 3 conditions that have to be met before a disease can be considered a pandemic.

• a new influenza virus subtype emerges
• it infects humans, causing serious illness
• it spreads easily and sustainably among humans.

Currently the swine fever virus already meets the first two conditions. Although it is desirable that it never meets the third condtion, we must be prepared for it to do so. Preparedness for a pandemic is one of the best ways we can deal with it when it does eventually occur.

References: World Health Organization | U.K. Government Department of Health