Swine influenza: WHO pandemic alert phase 5

WHO has revised the pandemic alert for swine influenza to phase 5 on 29th April, 2009. US government site for authentic and updated information on flu pandemics is available at www.flu.gov. Phase 5 alert means that a pandemic is imminent. The virus strain causing swine influenza is H1N1 while the earlier avian flu pandemic was caused by the virus strain H5N1. The Director General of World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Margaret Chan feels that the preparedness measures taken during the H5N1 avian influenza threat were an investment from which we are benefitting now while facing the threat of H1N1 swine influenza.