WHO Raises Phase of Pandemic Alert to Level 5

Posted on April 29, 2009

The World Health Organization raised the alert for swine flu to level five. This is one level short of a full pandemic and suggests a pandemic is imminent. Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO's director-general, said, "It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic."

There are at least 91 cases in the United States and one death. There are also a growing number of countries with mounting swine flu cases. Schools are closing in the United States in an attempt to stop the spread of the swine flu. A vaccine is in the works but won't be available until September, at the earliest.