Sustained Threat To Human Life
- April 30th, 2009
- Posted by EUEditor
The World Health Organisation (29.4.09) has lifted the threat rating of the swine flu epidemic to five on its scale of six, indicating a “sustained threat to human life” — and a pandemic imminent.
Globally 148 cases of the influenza have been identified with at least one not connected with travel to Mexico, up till now the source of the outbreak.
The organisation has called for world solidarity saying all countries should activate their pandemic preparedness plans.
The Australian government says it is “well into preparedness plans” though no confirmed cases had been identified by dawn on 30.4.09.
The Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, told ABC radio “the chances of Australia being fully protected from this diseae are lessening”.
Steps taken overnight include health checks on incoming flights, central coordination set up among the States and Territories, communications arrangements in place including a new public hotline, advance briefing of health workers and thermal screening at airports ready to commence.