The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the pandemic alert level to Phase Six. What are these phases?
WHO currently identifies six stages of Pandemic Preparedness and Response. Phase 1: Influenza viruses are circulating in animals, especially birds. No reports of animal viruses infecting humans. Phase 2: Human infection by an animal influenza virus. Potential pandemic threat. Phase 3: An animal or animal-human influenza virus has caused limited disease in people. Isolated human to human transmission may occur – but not widespread. Phase 4: Verified human to human transmission of an animal or human-animal virus causing widespread or “community-level” outbreaks. Risk of pandemic is considered much higher but not a foregone conclusion. Phase 5: Human to human spread of the virus is confirmed in at least two countries in one WHO region. It is likely that a pandemic is imminent. Time to finalize organization, communication, and implementation of planned mitigation strategies is short. Phase 6: The Pandemic Phase. Community outbreaks in at least one country from a second WHO region – indicat
