Travel Health Notice: WHO Raises Flu Pandemic Alert to Highest Level, Phase 6 – Updated June 11, 2009

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the first global flu pandemic in 41 years, warning that H1N1 is still spreading. The pandemic alert level has now been raised to Phase 6, WHO's highest alert level. This means that a Swine Flu Pandemic is underway.

Since the new flu strain dubbed (H1N1) first emerged in Mexico and the United States in April, it has spread to 74 countries around the globe. The 27, 737 confirmed cases of illnesses, including 141 deaths, have led WHO to declare that "the virus is spreading to a number of countries and is not stoppable."

Although the pandemic appears to have moderate severity in comparatively well-off countries, it is important to anticipate a bleaker picture as the virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical problems.

Today's pandemic announcement means countries will now immediately activate their pandemic plans. The announcement will also push drug makers to speed up production of an H1N1 flu vaccine. "The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic. We are in the earliest days of the pandemic. The virus is spreading under a close and careful watch," announced WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan.

Medcan is in regular contact with the Ministry of Health, Public Health as well as a number of global experts on this matter, and the information is evolving by the hour.

The best sources for up-to-date information on the Human Influenza A (H1N1) are: U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ & http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm.

World Health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.int/en. Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine_200904-eng.php.
The following link provides a current global view cases.

The World Health Organization is not recommending travel restrictions except that individuals who are ill should delay travel plans (i.e. avoid infecting others). Travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care.

Respiratory illness etiquette is very important and as such we have included two relevant links: Health Canada - Proper Hand Washing: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/occup-travail/handwashing-lavage-eng.php. Toronto Public Health Cover Your Cough: http://www.toronto.ca/health/pdf/sleeve_sneeze_cover_cough.pdf .

Please be assured that it is business as usual at Medcan and that it's important that you stay on top of your healthcare needs.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Interview with Medcan's Director of Global Health, Dr. Kevin Kain May 1, 2009

Medcan's Director of Global Health, Dr. Kevin Kain answers questions about Influenza A (H1N1) ("swine flu") that is spreading globally. Click on the podcast for his expert opinion on the virus outbreak and learn more about symptoms, treatment and prevention.

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