VOA: WHO Declares Influenza Pandemic
The World Health Organization has declared an influenza pandemic for the first time in more than 40 years, as the H1N1 swine flu continues to spread worldwide.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan made the announcement Thursday in Geneva, following an emergency meeting of flu experts. She said nearly 30,000 cases have been reported in 74 countries.
The WHO says the new designation will likely get governments to spend more money to contain the outbreak, and trigger drug companies to speed up production of a vaccine.
The alert level was raised from Phase 5 to the maximum Phase 6.
VOA News; Video: Austin News
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