WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years

[one...two...tree 2,762]

BY MARIA CHENG and FRANK JORDANS, Associated Press Writer

GENEVA – The World Health Organization told its member nations it was declaring a swine flu pandemic Thursday — the first global flu epidemic in 41 years — as infections climbed in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere.

In a statement sent to member countries, WHO said it decided to raise the pandemic warning level from phase 5 to 6 — its highest alert — after holding an emergency meeting on swine flu with its experts.

The long-awaited pandemic decision is scientific confirmation that a new flu virus has emerged and is quickly circling the globe. It will trigger drugmakers to speed up production of a swine flu vaccine and prompt governments to devote more money toward efforts to contain the virus.

"At this early stage, the pandemic can be characterized globally as being moderate in severity," WHO said in the statement, urging nations not to close borders or restrict travel and trade. "(We) remain in close dialogue with influenza vaccine manufacturers."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090611/ap_on_...un_un_swine_flu

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

3 schools near me have been closed for a while now.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

3 schools near me have been closed for a while now.

Because of confirmed cases? Good thing the school year is almost over.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

And, I just read, that the elementary school that serves children living in my neighborhood has had a 20-25% absentee rate Monday and Tuesday.

3 schools near me have been closed for a while now.

Because of confirmed cases? Good thing the school year is almost over.

Yes.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We had a school near us close as well with a confirmed case. It re-opened before the end of the school year, though.

[Peikko 1,575]

Get your panic supplies in now!

I smell a business opportunity...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Get your panic supplies in now!

I smell a business opportunity...

Well, this is pretty damn serious. Buying things like hand sanitizer or surgical masks isn't a sign of panic, but of precaution.

[Peikko 1,575]

It's no worse than regular flu. Take the same precautions you would every winter. The only odd thing about this flu is that it does affect some younger/healthy people more seriously and does not seem to strike old people. The oldies can be thankful they will not be culled this time around.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It's no worse than regular flu. Take the same precautions you would every winter. The only odd thing about this flu is that it does affect some younger/healthy people more seriously and does not seem to strike old people. The oldies can be thankful they will not be culled this time around.

This will just throw Social Security even more out of wack than it already is.

[Peikko 1,575]

Yeah, whoever engineered this flu they should be sacked, idiot!

[M.O 6]

thats awful...Hope they find a vaccine pretty soon...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Well, this is pretty damn serious. Buying things like hand sanitizer or surgical masks isn't a sign of panic, but of precaution.

Buying surgical masks is insanity. If you actually wear one in public, you should be fvcking shot.

[Ban Hammer 13,364]

Get your panic supplies in now!

I smell a business opportunity...

want to buy some ammo?

Well, this is pretty damn serious. Buying things like hand sanitizer or surgical masks isn't a sign of panic, but of precaution.

Buying surgical masks is insanity. If you actually wear one in public, you should be fvcking shot.

only because they might be mistaken for michael jackson.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

want to buy some ammo?

You might make more money selling pharmaceutical products.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Well, this is pretty damn serious. Buying things like hand sanitizer or surgical masks isn't a sign of panic, but of precaution.

Buying surgical masks is insanity. If you actually wear one in public, you should be fvcking shot.

CDC recommends them for those who are in crowded places like the subway.