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WHO fears pandemic is 'imminent' WHO fears pandemic is 'imminent'
(about 1 hour later)
The UN's World Health Organization has raised the alert over swine flu to level five - indicating human-to-human transmission in at least two countries.The UN's World Health Organization has raised the alert over swine flu to level five - indicating human-to-human transmission in at least two countries.
It is a "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent", the WHO says.It is a "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent", the WHO says.
In Mexico, at the epicentre of the outbreak, people have been urged to stay at home over the next five days.In Mexico, at the epicentre of the outbreak, people have been urged to stay at home over the next five days.
There are numerous cases elsewhere - the highest number outside Mexico in the US - and Europeans have been told it is certain there will be deaths.There are numerous cases elsewhere - the highest number outside Mexico in the US - and Europeans have been told it is certain there will be deaths.

WHO PANDEMIC ALERT PHASES

Phase 1: No infections in humans are being caused by viruses circulating in animals.
Phase 2: Animal flu virus causes infection in humans, and is a potentialpandemic threat.
Phase 3: Flu causes sporadic cases in people, but no significanthuman-to-human transmission.
Phase 4: Human-to-human transmission and community-level outbreaks.
Phase 5: Human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. Strongsignal pandemic imminent.
Phase 6: Virus spreads to another country in a different region. Globalpandemic under way.
Post-peak: Pandemic activity appears to be decreasing though second wavepossible.Post-pandemic: activity returns to normal, seasonal flulevels.
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WHO PANDEMIC ALERT PHASES

Phase 1: No infections in humans are being caused by viruses circulating in animals.
Phase 2: Animal flu virus causes infection in humans, and is a potentialpandemic threat.
Phase 3: Flu causes sporadic cases in people, but no significanthuman-to-human transmission.
Phase 4: Human-to-human transmission and community-level outbreaks.
Phase 5: Human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. Strongsignal pandemic imminent.
Phase 6: Virus spreads to another country in a different region. Globalpandemic under way.
Post-peak: Pandemic activity appears to be decreasing though second wavepossible.Post-pandemic: activity returns to normal, seasonal flulevels.
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Several countries have restricted travel to Mexico and many tour operators have cancelled holidays.Several countries have restricted travel to Mexico and many tour operators have cancelled holidays.
Other countries are resisting calls to implement travel bans or close borders, on the grounds - backed by the WHO - that there is little evidence of their efficacy.Other countries are resisting calls to implement travel bans or close borders, on the grounds - backed by the WHO - that there is little evidence of their efficacy.
In the latest developments:In the latest developments:
  • The Netherlands confirms its first case of swine flu, in a three-year-old boy recently returned from Mexico. Cases have also been confirmed in Switzerland, Costa Rica and Peru
  • European health ministers were set to meet for emergency talks to co-ordinate national efforts to contain the spread of the virus
  • Ghana has become the latest country to ban pork imports as a precaution against swine flu, though no cases have been found in the West African country
  • China's health minister says that the country's scientists have developed a "sensitive and fast" test for spotting swine flu in conjunction with US scientists and the WHO. The country has recorded no incidence of the flu yet.
  • The Netherlands confirms its first case of swine flu, in a three-year-old boy recently returned from Mexico. Cases have also been confirmed in Switzerland, Costa Rica and Peru
  • European health ministers were set to meet for emergency talks to co-ordinate national efforts to contain the spread of the virus
  • Ghana has become the latest country to ban pork imports as a precaution against swine flu, though no cases have been found in the West African country
  • China's health minister says that the country's scientists have developed a "sensitive and fast" test for spotting swine flu in conjunction with US scientists and the WHO. The country has recorded no incidence of the flu yet.
'Urgent action''Urgent action'
Announcing the latest alert level after an emergency WHO meeting in Geneva, Director General Margaret Chan urged all countries to activate their pandemic plans, including heightened surveillance and infection-control measures.Announcing the latest alert level after an emergency WHO meeting in Geneva, Director General Margaret Chan urged all countries to activate their pandemic plans, including heightened surveillance and infection-control measures.
CONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths - eight confirmedUS: one death, at least 91 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 13 confirmed casesCanada: 19 confirmed casesUK: 5 confirmed casesSpain: 10 confirmed casesGermany: 3 confirmed cases Israel, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachThe Netherland, Switzerland, Austria, Peru: 1 confirmed case each Mapping the outbreak Economy squeezed by swine flu Mexico: First swine flu cases Africa awaits two swine flu testsCONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths - eight confirmedUS: one death, at least 91 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 13 confirmed casesCanada: 19 confirmed casesUK: 5 confirmed casesSpain: 10 confirmed casesGermany: 3 confirmed cases Israel, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachThe Netherland, Switzerland, Austria, Peru: 1 confirmed case each Mapping the outbreak Economy squeezed by swine flu Mexico: First swine flu cases Africa awaits two swine flu tests
She said action should be undertaken with "increased urgency".She said action should be undertaken with "increased urgency".
She added: "It really is the whole of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic."She added: "It really is the whole of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic."
But she also said the world was "better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history".But she also said the world was "better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history".
Ms Chan stressed on Wednesday that there was no danger from eating properly cooked pork.Ms Chan stressed on Wednesday that there was no danger from eating properly cooked pork.
She advised hygiene measures such as hand-washing to prevent infection and said it was important "to maintain a level of calm".She advised hygiene measures such as hand-washing to prevent infection and said it was important "to maintain a level of calm".
Meanwhile in Mexico, President Felipe Calderon has announced the partial suspension of non-essential work and services from 1 to 5 May - a holiday period there.Meanwhile in Mexico, President Felipe Calderon has announced the partial suspension of non-essential work and services from 1 to 5 May - a holiday period there.
In a TV address, he urged people to stay in with their families - saying there was "no place as safe as your own home".In a TV address, he urged people to stay in with their families - saying there was "no place as safe as your own home".
He said he was "proud" of the response of Mexicans to the crisis, and assured people Mexico was well-stocked with anti-viral medicines.He said he was "proud" of the response of Mexicans to the crisis, and assured people Mexico was well-stocked with anti-viral medicines.
Already, schools across Mexico have closed, public gatherings are restricted and archaeological sites have been placed off-limits.Already, schools across Mexico have closed, public gatherings are restricted and archaeological sites have been placed off-limits.
From Stephen Gibbs in Mexico City, MexicoFrom Stephen Gibbs in Mexico City, Mexico
Since the swine flu outbreak began here, the government has faced the dilemma of wanting to prevent people spreading the disease - without paralysing the economy.Since the swine flu outbreak began here, the government has faced the dilemma of wanting to prevent people spreading the disease - without paralysing the economy.
With this latest directive it appears to have struck a compromise.With this latest directive it appears to have struck a compromise.
All "non-essential" areas of the economy are to be shut down, for five days from 1 to 5 May.All "non-essential" areas of the economy are to be shut down, for five days from 1 to 5 May.
The government has not been specific about what it means by non essential - but it does say medical, food, transportation and financial sectors will function as normal. Mexican economy squeezedThe government has not been specific about what it means by non essential - but it does say medical, food, transportation and financial sectors will function as normal. Mexican economy squeezed
Mexico is already being hit hard by the global economic slowdown, and the country's finance minister says swine flu could cut a further half-percent of GDP.Mexico is already being hit hard by the global economic slowdown, and the country's finance minister says swine flu could cut a further half-percent of GDP.
The search for the source of the outbreak continues, with the focus on the vicinity of a pig farm in the eastern part of the country.The search for the source of the outbreak continues, with the focus on the vicinity of a pig farm in the eastern part of the country.
The Mexican government is urging against jumping to conclusions and is suggesting the possibility remains that the virus originated outside the country.The Mexican government is urging against jumping to conclusions and is suggesting the possibility remains that the virus originated outside the country.
Officials have put the number of suspected deaths from swine flu in Mexico at 168, although just eight deaths have been confirmed, with 26 infections positively tested.Officials have put the number of suspected deaths from swine flu in Mexico at 168, although just eight deaths have been confirmed, with 26 infections positively tested.
In Europe, the director-general of health and consumer protection, Robert Madelin, said the continent was well prepared but nonetheless deaths from the disease were expected.In Europe, the director-general of health and consumer protection, Robert Madelin, said the continent was well prepared but nonetheless deaths from the disease were expected.
"It is not a question of whether people will die, but more a question of how many. Will it be hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands?", he said, speaking to Reuters news agency."It is not a question of whether people will die, but more a question of how many. Will it be hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands?", he said, speaking to Reuters news agency.
Movement bans?Movement bans?
At the meeting of health ministers on Thursday, a French proposal of issuing a continent-wide travel advisory for Mexico will be discussed - though it is unclear whether it is in the power of the EU executive to impose such a ban.At the meeting of health ministers on Thursday, a French proposal of issuing a continent-wide travel advisory for Mexico will be discussed - though it is unclear whether it is in the power of the EU executive to impose such a ban.
SYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigueIf you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, you should seek medical adviceIf you suspect you are infected, you should stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection Q&A: What is swine flu? Swine flu: How serious a threat? Can masks help spread? The quest for a swine flu vaccineSYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigueIf you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, you should seek medical adviceIf you suspect you are infected, you should stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection Q&A: What is swine flu? Swine flu: How serious a threat? Can masks help spread? The quest for a swine flu vaccine
Spain has seen the first case of a person contracting swine flu without having travelled there.Spain has seen the first case of a person contracting swine flu without having travelled there.
After Mexico, the US has recorded the next highest number of confirmed cases, with 91 - and the first death of swine flu outside Mexico, after a visiting Mexican child died in Texas.After Mexico, the US has recorded the next highest number of confirmed cases, with 91 - and the first death of swine flu outside Mexico, after a visiting Mexican child died in Texas.
President Barack Obama has urged local public-health bodies to be vigilant and said schools with confirmed cases "should consider closing". About 100 have so far done so.President Barack Obama has urged local public-health bodies to be vigilant and said schools with confirmed cases "should consider closing". About 100 have so far done so.
There are no current plans to close the border with Mexico, Mr Obama said on Wednesday evening.There are no current plans to close the border with Mexico, Mr Obama said on Wednesday evening.
Have you been affected by swine flu? You can send your experiences using the form below: Have you been affected by swine flu? You can send your experiences using the form below. You can also send your questions about the decision to raise the alert and we will send it to our health experts.
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