As swine flu death tolls in Mexico increased to 149 and confirmed cases were reported in New York, parts of US, Europe W.H.O issued a higher alert after an emergency meeting at Geneva. The level 4 alert will swing the health agencies and governments into more proactive action. W.H.O also recommended no curb on human movements across borders. The virus already seems to be widespread and it might be too late to localize it geographically.

W.H.O intends to shift focus more on treatment as there are only seasonal flu vaccines available in the market. It has urged vaccine makers to pick up pandemic strains, weaken the virus and make large batches even if it takes months.

Meanwhile health officials visited places in Mexico from where the swine flu originated. Though the virus is suspected to have spread from pigs there is no clear evidence. Increasing evidence of human-to human transmission prompted W.H.O to increase the alert to level 4 from level 3. It also said that situation was ‘fluid’ and evolving.

The outbreak of swine flu has led to much confusion affecting stock markets and travel industry internationally.

Via The New York Times