Swine Flu H1N1 Severity – What Does The Level 6 Pandemic Alert Really Mean and H1N1 Swine Flu Updates June 15 2009

WHO is still concerned with the unknown quantities and properties that may be present along with the H1N1 Swine Flu – especially when taking the putative second wave into consideration.

Here is how the World Health Organization classifies the level 6 pandemic alert for H1N1 Swine Flu.

At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. This assessment is based on scientific evidence available to WHO, as well as input from its Member States on the pandemic’s impact on their health systems, and their social and economic functioning.

The moderate assessment reflects that:

* Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
* Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.
* Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities.

WHO is concerned about current patterns of serious cases and deaths that are occurring primarily among young persons, including the previously healthy and those with pre-existing medical conditions or pregnancy.

As of June 15, 2009:
74 countries have officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection (Swine Flu), and 145 deaths have been attributed to H1N1 Swine Flu worldwide. The H1N1 Swine Flu is now pandemic status.