WHO Declares First 21st Century Flu Pandemic

The World - "The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an influenza pandemic on Thursday and advised governments to prepare for a long-term battle against an unstoppable new flu virus. The UN agency raised its pandemic flu alert to phase 6 on a six-point scale, indicating the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is under way...." [Reuters/Factiva]

The WSJ adds that "...WHO Director General Margaret Chan said the 'overwhelming majority' of people diagnosed with the virus since it surfaced in Mexico in April experienced mild symptoms and recovered quickly without medical treatment. But Dr. Chan warned that the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, is likely to continue to spread and that it could turn more virulent or affect populations differently. 'This early, patchy picture can change very quickly,' she said...." [The Wall Street Journal/Factiva]

The NYT writes that "...the illness may take a greater toll when it reaches poor countries with higher rates of malnutrition, AIDS and other diseases that can lower people's resistance to infection. Dr. Chan said rich countries should help poor ones less able to protect themselves...." [The New York Times/Factiva]