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H1N1...Full Blown Pandemic, Alert raised to Level 6

By Barbara Tubridy Lombardi

H1N1…..Full Blown Pandemic, Alert raised to Level 6

World Health Organization officials met with flu experts today (June 11, 2009) in Geneva to evaluate the spread of H1N1 and to raise the Alert to Level 6, the highest level possible. H1N1 is the first official influenza pandemic in more than 40 years.

Public Health experts caution the public not to panic, as technically we have been at Level 6 for some time without the official proclamation. Disease experts point out that the pandemic designation refers to the spread of the disease, not the severity. As of this date (June 11, 2009) the death rate from this infection is 0.00522%, or 141 out of 27,000 confirmed cases. This rate is considered extremely low especially for a virus termed pandemic.

Contrary to the caution above as reported here on June 1, 2009, 'this new strain of flu is scaring the willies out of scientists'. According to Ex-Iowa flu guru, Johan Hultin, H1N1 is a descendant of the 1918 Spanish flu which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide. According to the CDC, the geographic spread of this influenza in the United States is quite low.

We will continue to post updates as they become available or the news warrants. Meanwhile, although this has nothing to do with the flu or disease, look at the beautiful faces of the children of PS 22 (Staten Island, NY), something to put a smile on your face today. Mr. Breinberg, you rock!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Barbara Tubridy Lombardi

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on June 12, 2009 (boomark / email).