World Health Organization declares HINI virus a pandemic

While most people contracting the H1N1 virus are recovering without a trip to the hospital, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic today.

Officials with WHO consider the severity of the pandemic to be moderate. But the concern is there have been a number of serious cases and deaths occurring primarily in young people, even those considered previously health and those with pre-existing  medical conditions or pregnancy.

That prompted Dr. Margaret Chan, director of the General of the World Health Organization, to officially declare the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic.

“We are in the earliest days of the pandemic. The virus is spreading under a close and careful watch,” she said. “No previous pandemic has been detected so early or watched so closely, in real-time, right at the very beginning. The world can now reap the benefits of investments, over the last five years, in pandemic preparedness.

“We have a head start. This places us in a strong position. But it also creates a demand for advice and reassurance in the midst of limited data and considerable scientific uncertainty.”

According officials with WHO moderate assessment reflects that:

• Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
• Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.
• Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities.

A pandemic sets national authorities in motion to implement preparedness plans, identify cases as efficiently as possible, and minimize serious illness and deaths with proper treatment.

The goal is to reduce the impact of the pandemic on society.

One death in Wisconsin last week

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services declared a public health emergency in April and have been responding to numerous outbreaks, but since then few people have been hospitalized for the flu.

However, a Milwaukee resident with other underlying health issues died on June 4, Wisconsin currently has 2,071 confirmed and 3 probable H1N1 flu cases.

Karen Timberlake, secretary for Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued this statement in a press release:

“As always, this news should serve as a reminder to the public of the importance of practicing good hygiene and staying away from work or school if they feel sick. Persons at high-risk for complications from influenza should call a health care provider if they have a fever combined with cough, sore throat, headache or body aches.

“Those at higher risk for complications include: pregnant women, children from birth to age 2, adults 65 years old or older, people with certain chronic conditions, and residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.”

WHO pandemic phase descriptions

Link to H1N1 statistics in Wisconsin

CDC recommendations on who should wear a facemask

CDC information on the H1N1 virus

CDC recommendations on what to do if you have symptoms of H1N1

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