Fears of World Flu Pandemic Grow as Outbreaks Spread
By VOA News
30 April 2009
Health authorities in many countries are taking urgent steps to control the spreading swine flu crisis, which is now on the brink of a full-blown pandemic.
Since it was identified as a serious public-health issue, the new swine flu virus has been blamed for making thousands of people ill, and the suspected death toll is growing fast.
The World Health Organization raised its global alert level for the new flu variant, known as swine influenza A (H1N1), to Phase 5, one step below the maximum, which would be comparable to pandemics blamed for huge death tolls in the 20th century.
Mexico, where the biggest cluster of swine flu infections was spotted first, is trying to confirm the exact extent and severity of the virus. So far, health authorities there say they have confirmed the new virus infected about 100 people, eight of whom died. Where the new swine flu is suspected but has not been confirmed, the toll of sickness and death could go far higher.
The U.N. health agency has asked all countries to combat the spreading virus with "increased urgency." WHO director-general, Margaret Chan, says it is clear a new pandemic is beginning, with the only uncertainty being how severe the effects of the virus will be.
There are confirmed cases of swine flu in 12 countries across three continents.
Apart from the eight confirmed swine-flu deaths in Mexico, the only other confirmed fatality is in the United States, where a 23-month-old Mexican boy died this week while visiting relatives in Texas in the United States.
The Mexican government is calling for the suspension of all non-essential activities in the country for five days, starting Friday. Some schools have been shut down in the U.S., although President Barack Obama says there is no need for panic.
The European Union is holding emergency talks on the crisus Thursday in Luxembourg. Ministers from the Association of South-East Asian Nations plan to meet next week to coordinate their response.
Other confirmed cases of the new swine flu have been reported in Austria, Britain, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Israel, Spain, New Zealand, Netherlands and Switzerland. Australia, Colombia, France, Denmark and South Korea are among nations investigating suspected cases.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
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