WHO says Swine Flu 'public health event of international concern'

by Amy Judd | April 25, 2009 at 10:25 am

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A seventh case of swine flu has been confirmed in California - a 35 year-old woman was infected and hospitalised, but has since recovered.

A seventh case of the swine flu, which has killed up to 69 people in Mexico, has been confirmed in California, officials told BNO News on Saturday. "We just confirmed that this afternoon, a seventh case in California," said Al Lundeen who is a spokesman for the California Department of Public Health.

A British Airways crew member has apparently been taken to hospital with flu-like symptons after a flight from Mexico City to London, Heathrow.

The World Health Organisation has warned countries to be on alert for any unusual flu outbreaks after a swine flu virus was implicated in possibly dozens of human deaths in Mexico.

The BA employee, who has not been named, has been taken to Northwick Park hospital in Harrow, a hospital spokesman said.

He added: "He has flu-like symptoms and is responding well to treatment. The patient was admitted directly to a side room and the hospital is scrupulously following infection control procedures to ensure there is no risk to any other individual in the hospital."

The man was taken from flight BA242 which landed at 2pm today, a BA spokesman said.

Two cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Kansas.

Kansas state health officials have confirmed two cases of swine flu, just minutes after New York health officials said they had eight probable cases, CNN reported on Saturday.

A statement released by the White House on CNN also stated that the President has been tested and has had no flu like symptons since his recent visit to Mexico.

The Centre for Disease Control has issued an outbreak notice for the United States and Mexico:

As of 6pm April 24 2009, 8 human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in San Diego County and Imperial County, California as well as in San Antonio, Texas. This strain of influenza virus is unique because it is a combination of swine, bird, and human influenza viruses.

The World Health Organisation has called the outbreak of swine flu a 'public health event of international concern'. They have not declared it a pandemic, but Margaret Chan, the director-general of the WHO has said "it has pandemic potential".

"We do not yet have a complete picture of the epidemiology or the risk, including possible spread beyond the currently affected areas. Nonetheless, in the assessment of WHO this is serious situation that must be watched very carefully," she added.

The WHO are trying to learn more about this virus with symptons similar to that if Influenza.

Humans infected with swine influenza A (H1N1) have been confirmed in seven people in Mexico, and in Mexico City authorities have shut down schools, museums, libraries, theatres and all public venues for the next 10 days.

The Centre for Disease Control says swine flu is a disease of the respiratory system caused by type A influenza viruses. It is rare in humans, but can spread from person to person.

Doctors in Montrel have placed two people in quarantine who have recently returned from Mexico, but it has not been confirmed if they have swine flu.

Doctors "have no reason to believe it's swine flu, but they're taking absolutely no chances. It's precautionary," said CTV Montreal's Rob Lurie.

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The original story: WHO reports 800 flu like cases in Mexico

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Blue Crush

at 10:35 on April 25th, 2009

Reuters reports a Saturday meeting in Geneva has concluded, with no decisions made. "A statement will be made available later today."

AP is reporting WHO has warned countries around the world to be on alert for any flu outbreaks. "It would be prudent for health officials within countries to be alert to outbreaks of influenza-like illness or pneumonia, especially if these occur in months outside the usual peak influenza season," Chan told reporters by telephone from Geneva.