UNITED NATIONS, CMC – The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday declared an end to the H1N1 pandemic that briefly created a global scare but urged continued vigilance, cautioning that pandemics, like the viruses that cause them, are unpredictable.
“We are now moving into the post-pandemic period. The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course,” WHO Director-General Margaret Chan told reporters.
The announcement from the head of the United Nations health agency follows an assessment by its International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, which met earlier in the day, as well as reports from several countries that are now experiencing influenza.
It comes a little more than a year after the WHO first declared the start of the H1N1 pandemic, which has also been referred to as Swine Flu.
The virus spread with unprecedented speed, reaching 120 countries and territories in around eight weeks, according to the global health agency, which noted that cases were eventually reported in almost every country.
Caribbean countries were not spared during the peak of the pandemic as residents stocked up on hand sanitizers and displayed a heightened sense of vigilance when it came to their personal hygiene.
Confirmed cases were reported in countries throughout the region from Belize and as far south as Suriname.
Dr. Chan said that globally, the levels and patterns of H1N1 transmission now being seen differ significantly from what was observed during the pandemic. Out-of-season outbreaks are no longer being reported in either the northern or southern hemisphere.
“Influenza outbreaks, including those primarily caused by the H1N1 virus, show an intensity similar to that seen during seasonal epidemics,” she noted.
Also, during the pandemic, the H1N1 virus crowded out other influenza viruses to become the dominant virus.
“This is no longer the case. Many countries are reporting a mix of influenza viruses, again as is typically seen during seasonal epidemics.”
The WHO head noted that the start of the post-pandemic period 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. Pandemics, like the viruses that cause them, are unpredictable. So is the immediate post-pandemic period,” she stated.
She stressed that continued vigilance is extremely important, and WHO has issued advice on recommended surveillance, vaccination, and clinical management during the post-pandemic period.
I am glad the the H1N1 is behind us. I hope that the Bishop of the Catholic church will allow hand shaking and communion under both species. I found it really disconcerting that the Blood of Christ was stopped at communion and still is. I went to England recently I received communion under both species so why is this not done here……….. Is it economics?
the H1N1 is a scam and everyone should know…..more restrictions, more big brother society…wake up people….study, analyze, and verify what people claim to be facts.