WHO Declares Swine Flu a Pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally declared a pandemic in the growing outbreak of H1N1 influenza. This is the type widely known as “swine flu.” WHO told its member nations June 11 that it is raising its pandemic warning level from phase 5 to 6. This is the highest alert level. The declaration means that a new flu virus is spreading quickly around the world. Drug makers will speed up production of a vaccine. Governments also will take more steps to try to limit the spread of infection. Calling H1N1 a pandemic does not mean that WHO thinks it is severe. Most cases have been mild. As of June 10, WHO said the disease was in at least 74 countries. They had reported 27,737 cases of swine flu. These included 141 deaths.