Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan

Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan
29 April 2009
(WHO)

Swine influenza

Ladies and gentlemen,

Based on assessment 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.
Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world
On the positive side, the world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history.
Preparedness measures undertaken because of the threat from H5N1 avian influenza were an investment, and we are now benefitting from this investment.

HEALTH-ASIA: Swine Flu Threatens To Be Deadlier than Bird Flu, SARS

HEALTH-ASIA: Swine Flu Threatens To Be Deadlier than Bird Flu, SARS
(IPS)

BANGKOK, Apr 29 (IPS) - When the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised the influenza pandemic alert from phase three to an ominous phase four warning this week, it went beyond the alarm associated with the killer avian influenza virus in Asia.
The global health body’s warning came as the outbreak of a lethal strain of swine flu has killed more than 150 people in Mexico - the epicentre of the virus - and has also been detected in parts of the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Another bird flu suspect from Bandung
(Bird Flu Information Corner)


Bandung, West Java – Urip Rahayu, 23, resident of Bukit Pelamungan IX Bekasi and Rajim, 50, resident of Kampung Pasirkunci RT 08/03,Kelurahan Sarijaya, Kecamatan Majalaya, Kabupaten Karawang, admitted to Hasan Sadikin hospital Bandung due to bird flu (avian influenza) suspect. Urip has been treated in Flamboyan room since 24 March because of having breathing problem and high fever.

‘Mx’ gene in indigenous chickens keeps the flu away: Study
( The Jakarta Post )At least 62 percent of chickens indigenous to Indonesia are resistant to bird flu, thanks to a gene in their body called Mx, the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) revealed Monday.
“Genetically, the indigenous chickens [to Indonesia] have a gene that is immune to avian influenza,” said head of the institute Umar


Bird Flu Suspected in Pekanbaru Boy’s Death; Cases Mount in W. Java
( Jakarta Globe )

A toddler from Pekanbaru district, Riau Province, died on Thursday after exhibiting bird flu-like symptoms.

The 2-year-old boy, identified as Wahyu Ibnu Saputra, died at Arifin Achmad Hospital after suffering respiratory problems and fever, and falling unconscious, said Dr. Azizman Saad, the hospital’s bird flu control coordinat