WHO Raises Global Threat Level As Reports of Swine Flu Increase Confirmed Cases Double in U.S.

[L. Coyote]

WHO Raises Global Threat Level As Reports of Swine Flu Increase
Confirmed Cases Double in U.S.
By Rob Stein and Debbi Wilgoren
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, April 28, 2009; 8:48 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042800757.html?hpid=topnews

Cases of swine flu were confirmed early today in Israel and New Zealand, the first definitive proof that the dangerous new virus has spread to the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.

The World Health Organization, which yesterday raised its pandemic threat level from 3 to 4, two levels below a full-scale pandemic, will not meet today to consider another increase, a spokesman said at a news conference.

While the agency said people should think carefully before traveling to or from areas known to be affected by the flu virus, spokesman Gregory Hartl said it considers formal travel restrictions and border closures ineffective because people who would be screened could be infected but not yet showing symptoms.

"Border controls don't work. Screening doesn't work," Hartl said, according to Reuters news service, describing the economically-damaging travel bans as basically pointless in public health terms.

He said "we are still at phase 4" in terms of threat level because ...................

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I'm in Moab today, a remote town in Utah filled with international travelers.
Last night in La Hacienda Mexican restaurant (excellente!) I was surrounded
by every language except English. Some folks had flown 30 hours half way
around the world to get here, thru various airports. Where will the next
outbreak happen? Could be anywhere, given our connected, traveling world.

[endarkenment]

1. Phase 5

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region.

We are at phase 5 and it is bureaucratic inertia motivated by economic and political considerations that is stalling the shift and the mobilization of resources appropriate to a phase 5 situation.

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html

[L. Coyote]

2. Watch the stock market for the real forecast.

Airlines are tanking!