The World Health Organization said its team of experts monitoring influenza A (H1N1) could announce an end to the pandemic June 1.
A press release regarding this development will appear on the WHO website June 2.
WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said the task force’s research conclusion could be that as H1N1 is still prevalent in the southern hemisphere, the Phase 6 pandemic alert issued last June—the highest level—will be maintained. Alternatively, it could declare that the disease has skipped over the post-peak period and gone directly into the post-pandemic stage, meaning that it is now at a normal level.
Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control figures show that there have been no cases of H1N1 this year with serious complications. Following the three cluster infections reported in early May, no more have occurred.
CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Ting said although the H1N1 pandemic has eased, the WHO still includes vaccination for it on its list of recommended flu inoculations for 2010.
The virus could become a seasonal one like other types of influenza, spreading every winter and endangering groups with weaker immunity such as the elderly, infants, people with chronic diseases and the obese. It still carries the danger of serious complications or death, Lin pointed out.
The Executive Yuan has approved the CDC’s second-stage response plan for an influenza pandemic, to reduce the death rate, economic losses and social effects. The plan includes boosting stocks of vaccines and antiviral medicines, improving medical care for infectious diseases and the exchange of health risk information, mobilizing community resources and establishing a national epidemic disease prevention mechanism.
The CDC said preparations for an influenza pandemic must continue, to guard against new types of mutated virus, particularly the highly lethal H5N1 avian influenza. (THN)