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Swine flu stage assessed by world health experts

by
12 February 2010

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World health experts are to consider what further measures, if any, governments should take to monitor and combat swine flu.

Word Health Organization flu chief Keiji Fukuda said the worst of the swine flu outbreak was over but it is still thought to be continuing.

The WHO emergency committee will give its verdict to UN health chief Margaret Chan on whether the pandemic was now in a “transition period”, Mr Fukuda said.

The virus was announced as having reached the WHO’s highest designation, phase six, last June, which is when the agency declared it a pandemic. The post-peak phase indicated there is still pandemic activity but is different from phase six, Mr Fukuda said.

“We hope that the worst is over but you can’t suddenly let down your guard,” Mr Fukuda added. He said the exact date of the meeting had not yet been set.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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