The content below was selected by the WebMD Editorial staff and is solely under WebMD's editorial control.
Pandemic Threat
Pandemic Threat
WebMD Medical Reference
The World Health Organization monitors flu cases throughout the world and has developed a system of identifying where the world stands with regard to pandemic flu. The system has six phases. We are currently in phase 3, which marks the beginning of the "pandemic alert period" because of what has been developing with bird flu virus H5N1.
Inter-Pandemic Phase | No new influenza virus has been found in people or animals. | 1 |
| A new influenza virus has appeared in animals, but there are no human cases. | 2 | |
Pandemic Alert | A new strain of animal influenza virus infects humans, but there have not been human-to-human infections. | 3 |
| The new virus passes from person to person, but transmission is limited and confined to a certain location. | 4 | |
| There is frequent transmission of the virus between people in a particular place, but it hasn't spread to the rest of the world. | 5 | |
Pandemic | The virus is widespread worldwide. | 6 |
Medically reviewed by Michael Smith, MD, January 2006.
SOURCE: World Health Organization.
Related Links
ADD/ADHDAllergiesAlzheimer's DiseaseAnxiety DisordersArthritisAsthmaBack PainBalanceBipolar DisorderCancerCholesterolCold & FluDepression
DiabetesDiet & Weight LossErectile DysfunctionFitnessFood & CookingHeart HealthHeartburn/GERD HypertensionIBSIncontinenceMenopauseMigraines
OsteoporosisParentingPregnancySex & Relationships Sexual ConditionsSkin & BeautySkin ProblemsSleep DisordersStrokeAll Health Topics
Today's NewsFind a DoctorSymptom CheckerHealth Care ServicesWebMD Health ManagerWebMD Weight Loss Clinic
HLTH CorporationWebMD CorporateeMedicine®Medscape®MedicineNet®RxList®WebMD The Magazine
©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.