4 May 2009 - At a time of global concern about a new strain of influenza A (H1N1) it is necessary and right that the United Nations comes together to discuss what is happening. Our response must reflect enlightened self-interest and global solidarity at its best. This is a test for us all. We need to respond with a vigorous new multilateralism. We need to help those countries, especially in the developing world, which may find it hard to respond to this threat. That is only way to secure global public health.

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29 April 2009 - Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO's Director-General raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5. She stated that all countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. At this stage, effective and essential measures include heightened surveillance, early detection and treatment of cases, and infection control in all health facilities.

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Vientiane, 29 April 2009:  During the emergency, joint response meeting called yesterday by National Avian and Human Influenza Coordinating Office, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) advised the Department of Livestock and Fisheries to maintain a high level of vigilance and gather epidemiological information on any unusual influenza-like respiratory diseases in pigs.  

The current H1N1 influenza virus that is causing illness among humans in the USA and some other countries, and a worrisome number of human deaths in Mexico, is a new reassortant (mix) of different influenza strains. So far, pigs do not appear to be the immediate source of the current crisis and all indications point towards human-to-human transmission and infection. 

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Since 25th April 2009 there has been a declaration from the World Health organization (WHO) that there is a public health emergency of international concern. We currently know there are 75 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza are in Mexico, U.S.A., Canada, U.K. and Spain with suspected cases undergoing investigation in countries throughout the Americas, Asia, Oceania and Europe.

The influenza is due to a virus which is thought to have been transmitted from human to human although the extent to which this has happened and how sustainable this type of transmission is remains unknown. Therefore swine influenza has the potential to cause a global pandemic influenza outbreak. Following a WHO Emergency Committee Meeting convened yesterday in Geneva, the pandemic phase has been raised from level 3 to level 4.

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