| Swine flu nears pandemic status | Posted on 10/06/2009 in Industry related health news The World Health Organisation is in talks with national governments amid claims a full-blown swine flu pandemic is about to be declared.
In order for that upgrade to be issued, the infection must be shown to have established outside North America, where it originated.
A sharp rise in the number of cases in Australia this week has seen the prospect of a pandemic grow.
"Once I get indisputable evidence, I will make the announcement," said WHO director general Margaret Chan ahead of an expected confirmation later today.
Although no one has died from the H1N1 virus in Australia, more than 1,200 people have contacted the virus, with public health officials warning cases would get steadily more serious.
Yesterday the WHO's global influenza programme head Keiji Fukuda said the situation had "evolved a lot".
"We are getting close to knowing that we are in a pandemic situation," he admitted.
"It does not mean that the severity of the situation has increased or that people are getting seriously sick at higher numbers or higher rates than before."
According to the latest update from the Health Protection Agency issued yesterday, 675 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the UK. Other news stories from 10/06/2009
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