Current WHO phase of pandemic alert raised to level 6

Current WHO phase of pandemic alert raised to level 6

Influenza pandemic alert raised to phase 6
11 June 2009 -- On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6. "The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic," she said at a press conference today.
Read Dr Chan's statement to the press


WHO says H1N1 a pandemic
(00:50) Rough Cut Reuters Video

Jun 11 - Sweden's Ministry of Health says the World Health Organisation has decided to raise the new H1N1 virus threat level to phase six.
The WHO held an emergency meeting of experts to discuss whether or not to declare a global pandemic of H1N1 flu.
There have been 27,737 infections reported in 74 countries to date, including 141 deaths.

Soundbite:
WHO SPOKESMAN GREGORY HARTL