- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

WHO raises level of swine flu pandemic alert to 'five'

Subscribe
The World Health Organization has raised its level of swine flu pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, one step short of a full-scale pandemic, the WHO said on its website on Thursday.
MOSCOW, April 30 (RIA Novosti) - The World Health Organization has raised its level of swine flu pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, one step short of a full-scale pandemic, the WHO said on its website on Thursday.

"Based on assessments of all available information, and following several expert consultations, I have decided to raise the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5," WHO Director General Margaret Chan said.

The WHO said nine countries have officially reported cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection.

"All countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. Countries should remain on high alert for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia," she said.

"For the first time in history, we can track the evolution of a pandemic in real-time," Chan added.

In Mexico, which is thought to be the source of the outbreak, swine flu has been confirmed in 99 people, and eight people have died, according to Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova. Sanitary authorities, however, reported 17 suspected swine flu deaths in the past two days.

The outbreak of the deadly disease has resulted in the loss of over $55 million daily for Mexican retail, services and tourism sectors. Losses may top $500 million by May 6.

Swine flu concerns have prompted the government to shut education and entertainment facilities, as well as popular tourist venues in and around Mexico City. The country's authorities declared May 1-5 days off.

From April 28 to May 6 all cafes and restaurants are closed in the Mexican capital. The move affects over 900,000 people in the catering business.

On Wednesday, hotels were operating to just 10% capacity rates, and some 2,500 potential tourists have cancelled their reservations.

In addition, the swine flu outbreak has resulted in an 80% drop in sales of pork, the country's most popular meat. Mexico is one the world's largest pork suppliers, producing up to 1.5 million metric tons of pork annually.

Laboratory cases with no deaths have also been reported by Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and the United Kingdom (5), according to the WHO

The first case of human swine flu infection has been detected in Switzerland, Reuters said citing the country's health ministry.

The U.S., which has reported 91 confirmed human cases and one death, said it had no plans to close the border with Mexico.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала