WHO Alert Raised to Phase 5 for Swine Flu (H1N1)

Latest from WHO:
30 April 2009 -- From today, WHO will refer to the new influenza virus as influenza A(H1N1).

From the CDC:
In response to an intensifying outbreak in the United States and internationally caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5 on April 29, 2009.

A Phase 5 alert is a “strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.”

The United States Government has declared a public health emergency in the United States.

The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.

From Reuters:
Mexico began shutting down all non-essential work and services on Thursday to slow the spread of a new flu strain as officials urged increased worldwide precautions against an imminent pandemic.

The World Health Organization said it would remain for now at its current alert level -- one step below full pandemic -- and that it would no longer refer to the H1N1 virus as "swine flu" to appease beleaguered meat producers.

New confirmed flu cases were reported in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Almost all infections outside of Mexico have been mild, only a handful of patients have required hospital treatment, and most global markets have shrugged off concerns.