A Pandemic Is Declared
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.
More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. This number has been increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.
WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.
CO777ER wrote:Great way to create un-needed chaos and panic.
Boris wrote:CO777ER wrote:Great way to create un-needed chaos and panic.
It's an even better way to make sure that when something really serious gets loose, like Bubonic Plague or Ebola, that the people will act like "who cares, it's just another swine flu joke..."
Mark wrote:Technically, we've been under a Stage 6 pandemic since the 1980's for another virus.
Airfoilsguy wrote:Mark wrote:Technically, we've been under a Stage 6 pandemic since the 1980's for another virus.
Aids?
DXing wrote:So what happens when the regular flu season hits?
Mark wrote:There doesn't have to be widespread initial death for an outbreak to be labeled as a pandemic. For all we know, this is just the start of something that might ravage the planet as it snowballs. It might peter out. But, right now, it's still spreading and it's spread to the point where it triggered the use of the p-word.
halls120 wrote:Mark wrote:There doesn't have to be widespread initial death for an outbreak to be labeled as a pandemic. For all we know, this is just the start of something that might ravage the planet as it snowballs. It might peter out. But, right now, it's still spreading and it's spread to the point where it triggered the use of the p-word.
While it might technically qualify as a "pandemic," it is simply silly for the WHO and other 'professionals" to beat the drums of hype when this particular flu is weaker than most.
halls120 wrote:Mark wrote:There doesn't have to be widespread initial death for an outbreak to be labeled as a pandemic. For all we know, this is just the start of something that might ravage the planet as it snowballs. It might peter out. But, right now, it's still spreading and it's spread to the point where it triggered the use of the p-word.
While it might technically qualify as a "pandemic," it is simply silly for the WHO and other 'professionals" to beat the drums of hype when this particular flu is weaker than most.
Boris wrote:But if they can create at least some needless fear they'll have done their job...
Mark wrote:halls120 wrote:Mark wrote:There doesn't have to be widespread initial death for an outbreak to be labeled as a pandemic. For all we know, this is just the start of something that might ravage the planet as it snowballs. It might peter out. But, right now, it's still spreading and it's spread to the point where it triggered the use of the p-word.
While it might technically qualify as a "pandemic," it is simply silly for the WHO and other 'professionals" to beat the drums of hype when this particular flu is weaker than most.
There's still a real possibility of death to at-risk people who contract it. Multiply that worldwide and it meets the criteria of a pandemic. Just be lucky you're healthy and don't have to fear it.
lobster68w wrote:I went home from work the other night with diarrhea an vomiting and generally feeling like crap. I was SO hoping I had swine flu so I could at least brag about it!! But, was not to be-back at work the next day feeling 90% back to normal.
On a side note, anybody here be diagnosed with the swine flu yet?
Glad to see you reappear on the site.Lucas wrote:lobster68w wrote:I went home from work the other night with diarrhea an vomiting and generally feeling like crap. I was SO hoping I had swine flu so I could at least brag about it!! But, was not to be-back at work the next day feeling 90% back to normal.
On a side note, anybody here be diagnosed with the swine flu yet?
Ha ha, you can get mysterious illnesses when living in the middle of nowhere.
I don't think that anyone here has gotten the swine flu yet, not even my piggies, though they're the small, furry, rodent variety.
lobster68w wrote:On a side note, anybody here be diagnosed with the swine flu yet?
...finally stopped hacking up a lung. Never had the running nose and other symptoms of a cold/flu... I think half these morons out there break a fever or get some allergies...and freak out.
