The WHO, or the World Health Organization, raised its global epidemic threat level for the first time. WHO is watching the flu and trying to keep the flu from reaching to a pandemic level before its too late.
What are the symptoms of the swine flu? "
They're similar to regular human flu (A fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting).
On Tuesday, the swine flu has spread to the Middle East and the South Pacific. New Zealand have 11 confirmed cases, Israel has 1, U.S. have 50 (non-fatal) cases confirmed, 6 in Canada, 2 in Spain, and 2 in Scotland.
WHO is raising the global alert level as more deaths were reported in Mexico. The flu has already spread to 7 countries and they travel across borders through airplane flights.
This flu does not only affects the global health, but also the economy. The world stock markets fell sharply. The stocks of airlines, hotels and other travel-related companies are falling, since the flu scared away tourists (consumers).
Mexico was suspected to the the startpoint of the flu. In order to take precaution, Mexico canceled school nationwide until May 6. The "Mexico City government is considering a complete shutdown, including all public transportation." The Cinco de Mayo parade and Mexico City's traditional May 1 parade were canceled along with it. In addition, more than 100 museums nationwide were closed. At the "Mexico City's international airport, families grimly waited for flights out of the capital or country, determined to keep their masks on until they touched ground somewhere else."
The WHO has raised the alert level to Phase 4. This means that there is sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus causing outbreaks in at least 1 country. The first time that it has ever raised above Phase 3 was Monday. When the alert was at Phases 4, or 5, it means that "the virus is becoming increasingly adept at spreading among humans. Phase 6 is for a full-blown pandemic, characterized by outbreaks in at least two regions of the world."
Works Cited:
"Swine flu spreads to Middle East, South Pacific; New Zealand reports 11 confirmed cases, Israel, one." Daily News. 28 April 2009. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/04/28/2009-04-28_swine_flu_spreads_to_middle_east_south_pacific_.html
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