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UN set for swine flu crisis talks UN set for swine flu crisis talks
(20 minutes later)
UN health officials have called an emergency meeting to discuss swine flu, amid rumours that the first global flu pandemic in 40 years will be declared.UN health officials have called an emergency meeting to discuss swine flu, amid rumours that the first global flu pandemic in 40 years will be declared.
The World Health Organization announced the meeting after a steep rise in the number of cases in Australia.The World Health Organization announced the meeting after a steep rise in the number of cases in Australia.
Hong Kong on Thursday announced it was closing all its nurseries and primary schools for two weeks after 12 students tested positive for the virus.Hong Kong on Thursday announced it was closing all its nurseries and primary schools for two weeks after 12 students tested positive for the virus.
The last global pandemic was declared in 1968 over the Hong Kong flu. The last global flu pandemic came in 1968 over the Hong Kong flu.
That pandemic killed about one million people.That pandemic killed about one million people.
A disease is classed as a pandemic when transmission between humans becomes widespread in two regions of the world.A disease is classed as a pandemic when transmission between humans becomes widespread in two regions of the world.
Evolving situationEvolving situation
The latest virus emerged in Mexico in April and since then thousands of cases have been confirmed throughout North and South America.The latest virus emerged in Mexico in April and since then thousands of cases have been confirmed throughout North and South America.
The H1N1 strain has spread to 74 countries but the WHO has resisted labelling the outbreak a full-blown pandemic.The H1N1 strain has spread to 74 countries but the WHO has resisted labelling the outbreak a full-blown pandemic.
WHO chief Margaret Chan talked to officials from eight countries with large flu outbreaks on Wednesday in an attempt to confirm the spread of the disease.WHO chief Margaret Chan talked to officials from eight countries with large flu outbreaks on Wednesday in an attempt to confirm the spread of the disease.

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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She has said she believes the situation can be regarded as a pandemic but says she wants clear evidence before making an announcement.She has said she believes the situation can be regarded as a pandemic but says she wants clear evidence before making an announcement.
The WHO's move follows Australia's confirmation of more than 1,200 cases - a four-fold increase in a week.The WHO's move follows Australia's confirmation of more than 1,200 cases - a four-fold increase in a week.
All primary schools and nurseries in Hong Kong are to shut for 14 days from Friday in a bid to contain the virus, the territory's chief executive Donald Tsang said.All primary schools and nurseries in Hong Kong are to shut for 14 days from Friday in a bid to contain the virus, the territory's chief executive Donald Tsang said.
It follows confirmation that 12 secondary school pupils have contracted the illness. Secondary schools are not yet being ordered to close.It follows confirmation that 12 secondary school pupils have contracted the illness. Secondary schools are not yet being ordered to close.
At least 50 people are now confirmed to have the virus in the territory.At least 50 people are now confirmed to have the virus in the territory.
The head of the WHO's global influenza programme, Keiji Fukuda, said the situation had "evolved a lot" in recent days.The head of the WHO's global influenza programme, Keiji Fukuda, said the situation had "evolved a lot" in recent days.
"We are getting close to knowing that we are in a pandemic situation," he said."We are getting close to knowing that we are in a pandemic situation," he said.
Although most sufferers experience regular flu symptoms and make a full recovery, the WHO has confirmed 141 deaths from 27,737 cases.Although most sufferers experience regular flu symptoms and make a full recovery, the WHO has confirmed 141 deaths from 27,737 cases.
The BBC's health correspondent, Jane Dreaper, says classifying the virus as a pandemic does not mean that the virus has suddenly become more deadly.The BBC's health correspondent, Jane Dreaper, says classifying the virus as a pandemic does not mean that the virus has suddenly become more deadly.
But it does send a clear signal to health officials and businesses to continue planning for the possibility of large numbers of people catching the virus, she says.But it does send a clear signal to health officials and businesses to continue planning for the possibility of large numbers of people catching the virus, she says.
The move may speed up the production of vaccines and prompt national governments to impose measures such as travel bans.The move may speed up the production of vaccines and prompt national governments to impose measures such as travel bans.
The WHO's emergency committee is due to meet in Geneva at 1000 GMT.The WHO's emergency committee is due to meet in Geneva at 1000 GMT.