In a speech given yesterday (18th May) Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, told the world not to become complacent about the H1N1 virus.

“New diseases are, by definition, poorly understood when they emerge, and this is most especially true when the causative agent is an influenza virus, warned Chan. “Influenza viruses are the ultimate moving target. Their behaviour is notoriously unpredictable. The behaviour of pandemics is as unpredictable as the viruses that cause them. No one can say how the present situation will evolve.”

“This virus may have given us a grace period,” she continued, “but we do not know how long this grace period will last. No one can say whether this is just the calm before the storm.”

“Moreover, we must never forget that the H5N1 avian influenza virus is now firmly established in poultry in several countries. No one can say how this avian virus will behave when pressured by large numbers of people infected with the new H1N1 virus.”

Read the full speech.

•Date: 19th May 2009• Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: Pandemic planning
Rate this article or make a comment - click here