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The '''World Health Organization''' ('''WHO''') is a specialized agency of the [[wikipedia:United Nations|United Nations]] (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. |
The '''World Health Organization''' ('''WHO''') is a specialized agency of the [[wikipedia:United Nations|United Nations]] (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. |
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| + | ==Public Health Emergency== |
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| − | The WHO runs a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FedFluPandemicResponse.gif Pandemic Alert Level] service. It is currently at Phase 3 on the six-point scale, which means that a new virus has been confirmed but there is no or limited evidence of human-to-human transmission (or insufficient to sustain community-level outbreaks). However, the WHO advised that ''"all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia"''. |
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| + | On Saturday, 25 April, upon the advice of the Emergency Committee called under the rules of the International Health Regulations, the Director-General declared this event a [http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_26/en/index.html Public Health Emergency of International Concern]. This is a fairly "routine" measure, which frees up money and government agencies for specific health purposes. However, the WHO is not recommending any travel restrictions. |
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| + | ==Alert Scheme== |
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| + | The WHO runs a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FedFluPandemicResponse.gif Pandemic Alert Level] service. (Click link to see a full chart). |
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| + | ===Recommendations=== |
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| − | ==Twitter Feed== |
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| + | Before the alert level was raised from 3 to 4, the WHO advised that ''"all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia"''. When it was raised to level 5, WHO Director General Margaret Chan urged all countries to activate their pandemic plans, including heightened surveillance and infection-control measures. |
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| − | <div style="border:1px solid #ACA; background-color:#EFE; padding:5px; margin:5px;">{{:WHO Feed}}</div> |
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| + | Individuals are [http://flu.wikia.com/index.php?title=World_Health_Organization&action=edit§ion=2 advised] to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness. |
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| + | The WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities. |
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| + | ==Medicinal Reserves== |
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| + | According to [http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2009/04/26/laboratorios-cuentan-con-reservas-de-farmacos-para-brote-de-gripe-porcina La Journada] ([http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&js=n&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jornada.unam.mx%2Fultimas%2F2009%2F04%2F26%2Flaboratorios-cuentan-con-reservas-de-farmacos-para-brote-de-gripe-porcina&sl=auto&tl=en translation]), the WHO has access to 3 million packs of [[Tamiflu]], currently stored in the [[United States]] and [[Switzerland]], should they prove to be effective and the WHO chooses to distribute the reserves. The WHO has apparently not yet sent viral samples to labs to begin the lengthy process of developing a new vaccine. |
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| + | ==WHO news feeds== |
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| + | {{:WHO Feed}} |
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| + | ==External links== |
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| + | *[http://twitter.com/whonews WHO Twitter] |
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| + | [[Category:World Health Organization| ]] |
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[[Category:Organizations]] |
[[Category:Organizations]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:08, 21 February 2010
WHO Flag
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health.
Public Health Emergency[]
On Saturday, 25 April, upon the advice of the Emergency Committee called under the rules of the International Health Regulations, the Director-General declared this event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This is a fairly "routine" measure, which frees up money and government agencies for specific health purposes. However, the WHO is not recommending any travel restrictions.
Alert Scheme[]
The WHO runs a Pandemic Alert Level service. (Click link to see a full chart).
On 29th April, the WHO raised the alert level to 5 on the six-point scale. Phase 5 (Widespread Human Infection) means human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. Phase 6 is a global pandemic proper.
Recommendations[]
Before the alert level was raised from 3 to 4, the WHO advised that "all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia". When it was raised to level 5, WHO Director General Margaret Chan urged all countries to activate their pandemic plans, including heightened surveillance and infection-control measures.
Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
The WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
Medicinal Reserves[]
According to La Journada (translation), the WHO has access to 3 million packs of Tamiflu, currently stored in the United States and Switzerland, should they prove to be effective and the WHO chooses to distribute the reserves. The WHO has apparently not yet sent viral samples to labs to begin the lengthy process of developing a new vaccine.
WHO news feeds[]