WHO declares flu outbreaks of international concern
GENEVA, April 25 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared on Saturday the flu outbreaks in Mexico and the United States a "public health event of international concern".
Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general, also urged all countries to boost their surveillance for any unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.
In a statement based on advice she received from WHO's emergency committee of experts, the WHO said that "the director-general has determined that the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern".
The experts further agreed that more information was needed before making a decision on a possible change to the WHO's pandemic alert phase, currently 3 on a scale of 1 to 6, it said. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay)
Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general, also urged all countries to boost their surveillance for any unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.
In a statement based on advice she received from WHO's emergency committee of experts, the WHO said that "the director-general has determined that the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern".
The experts further agreed that more information was needed before making a decision on a possible change to the WHO's pandemic alert phase, currently 3 on a scale of 1 to 6, it said. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay)
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