WHO decreases level of influenza pandemic alert

"The world is no longer in phase 6 of influenza pandemic alert. We are now moving into the post-pandemic period. The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course," WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said in an opening statement at the virtual press conference on Tuesday.

The WHO website posted her speech.

"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," Dr. Chan said.

The first H1N1 flu reports were posted in April 2009, and the WHO response was resolute. The first pandemic of the century was announced on June 11, 2009. There has been media criticism of WHO lately claiming that the organization caused panic and forced many countries to buy the vaccine in excessive amounts while the virus proved to be less lethal than the average seasonal flu; Kazinform cites Itar-Tass.

See www.itar-tass.com for full version.