Swine flu pandemic is officially over
Released 16/08/2010
H1N1 virus to take on behaviour of seasonal flu
The swine flu pandemic is officially over as the World Health Organisation (WHO) moves into a "post pandemic period", according to director general Dr. Margaret Chan.
The H1N1 pandemic was expected to take a far worse toll than it actually did and this decision comes a little over a year after the WHO first declared it a pandemic.
The influenza virus spread quickly, reaching 120 countries and territories in around eight weeks, according to WHO, which noted that cases were eventually reported in almost every country.
Dr. Chan is quick to warn that swine flu has not disappeared altogether. "As we enter the post-pandemic period, this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has gone away. Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behaviour of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come."
Based on available evidence and experience from past pandemics, she says it is likely that the virus will continue to cause serious disease in younger age groups, at least in the immediate post-pandemic period.
"Groups identified during the pandemic as at higher risk of severe or fatal illness will probably remain at heightened risk, though hopefully the number of such cases will diminish," she added.
"This time around, we have been aided by pure good luck," Dr. Chan concluded. "Thanks to extensive preparedness and support from the international community, even countries with very weak health systems were able to detect cases and report them promptly."
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