GENEVA: World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan said Friday that developing countries should be prepared for more severe cases of the “subtle, sneaky swine flu virus.
“Countries especially in the developing world, where populations are most vulnerable, should prepare to see more than the present small number of severe cases, Chan told the 193 member states at the end of the WHO’s annual assembly here.
She underlined that the outbreak of the new virus had been found and tackled in countries that could mobilize the best detection, marking the first time that the world could follow “the conditions conducive to a pandemic.
“The strength of a country’s health system will make the biggest difference in sickness and survival during an influenza pandemic, Chan underlined.
The WHO Director General also highlighted the risk that the virus could intermingle with seasonal flu during the impending winter season in the southern hemisphere.
That meant they could “possibly exchange genetic material in unpredictable ways, she added, referring to the risk that the A(H1N1) virus could become more dangerous in the process.
Chan acknowledged a series of dilemmas in assessing the current threat and said she was taking into account criteria other than geographical spread in evaluating any possible declaration of a pandemic phase six.
“Phase five and six are virtually identical in terms of the actions they launch, she said in response to complaints from some of the most affected countries about the relatively mild nature of the virus.
“But even the best laid plans need to be fluid and flexible when a new virus emerges and starts changing the rules, she added.
The new swine virus had notably proved so far to be less severe than the H5N1 avian flu virus that has sparked fears of a flu pandemic in recent years.
“This is a subtle, sneaky virus, it does not announce its presence or arrival in a new country with sudden explosion of patients seeking medical care or requiring hospitalization, Chan remarked. -AFP
