Under the World Health Organization's alert system for epidemics, phase 6 is the highest level and means a pandemic — a global epidemic — is under way. Here's a look at the phases.
_Phase 3: An animal or human-animal flu virus causes some infections in people, but with little or no subsequent human-to-human transmission. WHO had its alert at this level as a result of the bird flu outbreaks in Asia since 1997.
_Phase 4: Verified flu transmission among humans able to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community. WHO declared Phase 4 on April 27 after confirmation of a rash of swine flu cases, including deaths, in Mexico.
_Phase 5: Human-to-human spread of the virus in at least two countries in the same region — a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent. WHO declared Phase 5 on April 29 after a cluster of swine flu cases were confirmed in the United States.
_Phase 6: A global flu pandemic has begun, including community-level outbreaks in at least two world regions. WHO declared Phase 6 on June 11 after increased infections in Europe, Australia, Chile and elsewhere.
by the associated press
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Showing posts with label Flu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flu. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Protecting our kids from the Flu
CHICAGO — The nation’s first swine flu death, a toddler in Texas, is tragic but health experts say not unexpected, and they advise parents to take some ordinary precautions.
Every year dozens of U.S. children die from seasonal flu; that’s one reason annual flu shots are recommended for children 6 months and older.
So far this season, 55 children have died from regular flu, federal health authorities report.
While children, especially those younger than 5, are known to be most vulnerable to severe and fatal complications from seasonal flu, most children who get even the most aggressive strains of flu don’t die from it.
"Nobody should be unduly worried; everybody should be aware of what’s going on and doing things they should be doing in flu season anyway,” said Dr. Mark Dworkin, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
That includes covering your cough, washing your hands often — and telling children to do the same.
Parents should also avoid sending children with fevers or other signs of illness to school, and should skip work if they have those symptoms — usual precautions when they or their kids are sick.
Dr. Kathryn Edwards, a Vanderbilt University flu specialist, said there’s no reason to keep healthy children home or restrict their activities.
While there’s no vaccine to protect against the new strain, experts say parents should be sure to vaccinate their children against seasonal flu.
Flu symptoms include fever, cough and runny nose. Younger children sometimes have vomiting.
by the associated press
Every year dozens of U.S. children die from seasonal flu; that’s one reason annual flu shots are recommended for children 6 months and older.
So far this season, 55 children have died from regular flu, federal health authorities report.
While children, especially those younger than 5, are known to be most vulnerable to severe and fatal complications from seasonal flu, most children who get even the most aggressive strains of flu don’t die from it.
"Nobody should be unduly worried; everybody should be aware of what’s going on and doing things they should be doing in flu season anyway,” said Dr. Mark Dworkin, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
That includes covering your cough, washing your hands often — and telling children to do the same.
Parents should also avoid sending children with fevers or other signs of illness to school, and should skip work if they have those symptoms — usual precautions when they or their kids are sick.
Dr. Kathryn Edwards, a Vanderbilt University flu specialist, said there’s no reason to keep healthy children home or restrict their activities.
While there’s no vaccine to protect against the new strain, experts say parents should be sure to vaccinate their children against seasonal flu.
Flu symptoms include fever, cough and runny nose. Younger children sometimes have vomiting.
by the associated press
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