WHO raises flu pandemic alert to highest level

The World Health Organization has decided to move its A/H1N1 flu alert level to phase six as the number of reported infections climbs to nearly thirty-thousand. It's the Organization's first global flu pandemic declaration in 41 years.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Margaret Chan  delares in Geneva that WHO has decided to raise the current A/H1N1  flu alert to its highest level of six on Thursday.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

The decision was made Thursday following a teleconference with world experts.

WHO's chief says she is moving the world to phase 6, the agency's highest alert level. It means a pandemic is under way.

Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Chief, said, "With the announcement of phase 5 to phase 6 clearly it sends an important message to countries that, irrespective of what stage of the epidemic is in their country they must maintain continuous vigilance."

The WHO has stressed that most cases are mild and require no treatment, but the fear is that a rash of new infections could overwhelm hospitals and health authorities, especially in poorer countries.

Dr. Margaret Chan said, "Calling a pandemic is also a signal to the international community. This is a time when the world's countries, rich or poor, big or small, must come together in the name of global solidarity to make sure that no countries because of poor resources, no country's people should be left behind without help."