Pandemic Declared

Swine Flu Outbreak Spreading Around World - Now in 74 countries, 144 deaths and rising

Presently there is a swine flu epidemic that originated in Mexico and is quickly spreading throughout the world. The virus is known as swine influenza A (H1N1).The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow internationally.

According the World Health Organization, as of 11 June 2009, 74 countries have officially reported over 28,000 cases of swine flu, also know as the influenza A(H1N1) infection. There have been 144 known deaths so far. After Mexico, the US has the highest number of deaths, where it is already in all 50 states and spreading at an alarming rate.

In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6, the highest. A Phase 6 pandemic is characterized by increased and sustained transmission in the general population. This is the world's first flu pandemic since 1968.