WHO says it is 'very close' to declaring swine flu is a pandemic

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http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090609/health/health_flu_who_pandemic

WHO says it is 'very close' to declaring swine flu is a pandemic

2 hours, 23 minutes ago

By The Canadian Press

TORONTO - The World Health Organization says it is very close to declaring that

the swine flu outbreak is a pandemic.

The WHO's top flu expert says it's clear that the virus is spreading in the

community in parts of Australia, which is a sign the agency has been looking for

to declare the outbreak a pandemic.

Dr. Keiji Fukuda says the WHO is working with countries trying to help them get

ready for a pandemic declaration.

He says the WHO is concerned that the declaration not lead to a blossoming of

anxiety and that countries not react with actions that aren't needed at this

point.

Fukuda also says the WHO is very concerned about reports from Manitoba where it

appears that aboriginal populations are being hard hit by the infection.

He says that is the type of development that was seen in previous pandemics.