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Current pandemic alert phase

  • Last modified date:
    16 October 2006

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Six distinct phases have been defined by the World Health Organization to help global preparedness planning. The present international situation is categorised as phase 3: a virus new to humans is causing infections, but does not spread easily from one person to another.

Experts are concerned because the H5N1 virus currently circulating among birds in Africa, Asia and Europe has demonstrated the ability to cross the species barrier to cause disease and death in humans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) alert level remains at pre-pandemic alert phase 3 and a particular risk of pandemic emergence arises through adaption of the virus or recombination with circulating (human) viruses.

Although there have been no major changes in the behavior of H5N1 viruses in humans or animals since they emerged a decade ago, it is possible that they could change suddenly. This could lead to more efficient transmission among humans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to monitor the situation carefully.

Number of cases and deaths worldwide

Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO.

Current WHO alert phase

This link provides up to date information regarding WHO phases and the current pandemic alert phase.

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