Swine Flu Arises Up in Mexico: Reports WHO

The World Health Organisation is meeting today in Geneva to decide whether the swine flu pandemic has finally passed.

If they do agree, then it would be the first time that the committee charged with identifying pandemics and health threats worldwide have acknowledged that the crisis has abated.

Last June the world went on alert as the first cases of swine flu were reported in Mexico and alarms were raised when the influenza strain seemed to have a high mortality rate, particularly amongst the young and seemingly healthy.

The flu quickly spread around the world, its progress closely monitored by the media, who came in for criticism that they raised the public’s fears to an unnecessary level. People were scrambling to obtain prescriptions for the anti-viral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu and it became a common sight to see commuters on tubes and buses wearing masks.

Originally, the WHO feared that the H1N1 virus could kill millions, though in the end there were 12,700 deaths. They urged that vaccinations and treatments be quickly developed and governments rushed to stockpile vaccines and medication. Many want to resell their vaccination stocks but are struggling to do so.

There have been claims that pharmaceutical firms influenced health officials to buy medication unnecessarily, which are to be investigated by the Council of Health next month.

A spokesperson from WHO said that the organisation was planning a review of its management of the pandemic, to be conducted by independent experts, and that the results would be made public.

Even if the pandemic is declared to be over, there are still fears that a hybrid virus could be born, which could prove more dangerous.

In Britain, the Swine Flu pandemic hotline was shut down in mid-February, after the level of calls dropped significantly. Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, said that this was a positive move but encouraged those eligible to still take up their flu vaccination.

At its busiest, the phone line was receiving 40,000 calls a week, though eventually this fell to 5,000 a week. Those with the flu have now been told to contact their own GP to get a diagnosis and if necessary, a prescription for Tamiflu.

Reacting to criticism over the purchasing of the swine flu vaccine on such a large scale, Sir Liam said "We bought it as a precaution because it had to be ordered ahead of time - some of the early news from Mexico was very worrying.

"We acted on a precautionary basis and implemented a well-rehearsed plan."