What is phase 6?
Updated 11 June 2009
What is phase 6?
Phase 6 is a pandemic, according to the WHO definition. WHO
pandemic phase descriptions [pdf 456kb]
Pandemic
influenza preparedness and response
What about severity?
At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza
pandemic to be moderate. This assessment is based on scientific
evidence available to WHO, as well as input from its Member States
on the pandemic's impact on their health systems, and their social
and economic functioning.
The moderate assessment reflects that:
- Most people recover from infection without the need for
hospitalization or medical care.
- Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza
A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal
influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred
in some local areas and institutions.
- Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries
have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care,
although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some
localities.
WHO is concerned about current patterns of serious cases and
deaths that are occurring primarily among young persons, including
the previously healthy and those with pre-existing medical
conditions or pregnancy.
Large outbreaks of disease have not yet been reported in many
countries, and the full clinical spectrum of disease is not yet
known. Assessing
the severity of an influenza pandemic
Considerations
for assessing the severity [pdf 318kb]
Does WHO expect the severity of the pandemic
to change over time?
The severity of pandemics can change over time and differ by
location or population.
Close monitoring of the disease and timely and regular sharing of
information between WHO and its Member States during the pandemic
period is essential to determine future severity assessments, if
needed.
Future severity assessments would reflect one or a combination of
the following factors:
- changes in the virus,
- underlying vulnerabilities, or
- limitations in health system capacities.
The pandemic is early in its evolution and many countries have
not yet been substantially affected. More
about the new influenza A(H1N1)
What is WHO doing to respond?
WHO continues to help all countries respond to the situation. The
world cannot let down its guard and WHO must help the world remain
and become better prepared.
WHO's support to countries takes three main forms: technical
guidance, materials support, and training of health care system
personnel.
WHO's primary concern is to strengthen and support health systems
in countries with less resources. Health systems need to be able to
prevent, detect, treat and mitigate cases of illness associated with
this virus.
WHO is also working to make stocks of medicines (such as
antivirals and antibiotics) and an eventual pandemic vaccine more
accessible and affordable to developing countries.
Both antivirals and vaccines have important roles in treatment
and prevention respectively. However, existing stocks of antivirals
are unlikely to meet the demand. WHO is working closely with
manufacturers to expedite the development of a safe and effective
vaccine but it will be some months before it is available.
Therefore, rational use of the limited resources will be
essential. And medicines are only part of the response. WHO is also
deploying diagnostic kits, medicines and masks and gloves for health
care settings, teams of scientific experts, and medical technicians
so countries in need can respond to local epidemics.
A pandemic sets national authorities in motion to implement
preparedness plans, identify cases as efficiently as possible, and
minimize serious illness and deaths with proper treatment.
The goal is to reduce the impact of the pandemic on
society. Guidance
for national authorities
What do I do now? What actions should I look
for in my community?
Stay informed. Go to reliable sources of information, including
your Ministry of Health, to learn what you can do to protect
yourself and stay updated as the pandemic evolves.
Community-specific information is available from local or national
health authorities.
You can also continue to visit the WHO web site for simple
prevention practices and general advice.
WHO is not recommending travel restrictions nor does WHO have
evidence of risk from eating cooked pork. What
can I do?
Guidance
for communities |
