June 11, 2009

CMO Issues Statement About WHO Pandemic Alert Phase 6

The World Health Organization (WHO) on June 11 raised the pandemic alert for H1N1 (swine) influenza from phase 5 to phase 6 – the highest level.

Influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in Mexico and the United States in March and April 2009. By June 3, all 50 states in the United States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were reporting cases of novel H1N1 infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

At this time, most people who have become ill with novel H1N1 in the United States have recovered without requiring medical treatment and have experienced typical flu symptoms, according to the CDC website on H1N1.

UCSF Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Josh Adler, MD, issued a statement with answers to common questions about the situation. More information is available online at the websites listed below.

Q: What does the phase 6 alert level mean?

A: This means the new influenza spreads easily from one human to another and is found in many countries, and that a global pandemic is underway. It indicates widespread community presence of the virus. The key factor for changing the phase is geographic distribution. It does NOT indicate that the disease is more serious or more deadly.

The designation of a phase 6 pandemic is an indication to world leaders to implement strategies that reduce the spread of disease and its impact on society, even if they have not yet identified any cases in their own countries.

Q: What does raising the alert level mean for San Francisco?

A: Escalation to phase 6 does NOT change the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) response. San Francisco already has responded to local cases, and will continue to monitor the situation; perform laboratory tests; provide recommendations to the public, schools and clinicians; and implement measures to protect the public’s health.

Q: What does raising the alert level mean for UCSF?

A: Escalation to phase 6 does NOT change UCSF’s response. Our local authority is the SFDPH. Relatively few cases have been reported in San Francisco. We will let you know if there is new information from SFDPH. We are monitoring all reports about the worldwide outbreak.

For more information about H1N1 flu, visit UCSF Today.

For information on reporting, specimen testing and clinical direction, see the UCSF Medical Center Infection Control Intranet website.

Related Links: