The spread of swine flu has reached the highest alert level set by the World Health Organization (WHO). On 10 June 2009, officials decided to raise the level of alert. WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan announced the change from phase 5 to phase 6: "On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met."
Phase 6 means the virus is confirmed and spreading in at least two regions of the world. 78 countries had reported 28,774 cases, including 144 deaths. The number of deaths is low, and no jump in cases and deaths is expected in the near future.
The countries with the most cases were:
- United States: 13,217
- Mexico: 6,241
- Canada: 2,446
- Chile: 1,694
- Australia: 1,307
Most deaths were recorded in Mexico (108), followed by the United States (27); no other country had recorded more than four deaths.
Declaring phase 6 doesn't mean the disease has become more dangerous or more deadly. It means this is the first pandemic of this century, spread across more than one continent, and that countries should start applying containment measures if they haven't already.
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