Swine Flu Viruses: WHO Raises Swine Flu (2009 H1N1) Pandemic Alert to Level 5
The World Health Organization raised swine flu pandemic alert to 5 from 6 point scale, its second-highest level, warning of widespread human infection from the swine flu outbreak that originated in Mexico.
The announcement came as the number of confirmed cases increased rapidly across the world.
The WHO and national governments have confirmed 148 cases in nine countries. Most of those cases are in the United States, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 91 cases.
Now swine flu killed seven people in Mexico and one baby in the United States. More than 2,700 other patients worldwide are believed to be suffering from the virus that government officials call by its technical name, 2009 H1N1.
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