The World Health Organization (WHO) has already hiked up the H1N1 influenza, formerly known as swine flu, to a global pandemic level. So far, most infections are mild, but the agency believes the virus could mutate at any time to a more dangerous form. As of June 19, there are 44,287 laboratory-confirmed cases worldwide.

In the U.S., the condition has begun to regress after nearly 18,000 confirmed cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is evaluating how the nation responded to the first wave of the virus before it reaches a second and potentially more serious outbreak during the fall.

To date, about 80 healthcare professionals have been confirmed with swine flu infection. Half of all the U.S. doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who contracted the influenza A (H1N1) virus did so while at work, suggesting the possibility that they had not taken sufficient measures to protect themselves with the use of masks, surgical gloves, eye protection, and gowns while caring for patients.

Authorities investigated 26 of these reports in detail and found that 13 people had been infected in a medical facility such as a clinic or hospital, and 12 had been infected by sick patients, as indicated by the CDC in its weekly report on disease and death.

“These results highlight the need for health care facilities to comply with the recommendations for infection control, identify and isolate infectious patients, provide sources of infection control and appropriate training to staff in infection control practices,” stated the CDC.

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Via Yahoo! News