Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) – Update 178

Influenza activity remains low and at the usual level for this time of year.

During the week ending 29 March 2010, none of the swabs collected from patients presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI) tested positive for influenza. The number of people with ILI visiting their doctor is at similar levels as last week and remains under "baseline".

*A weekly rate of less than 50 ILI consultations per 100,000 patient population is considered baseline activity. A rate of 50-249 is considered indicative of normal seasonal influenza activity, and a rate of 250-399 indicative of higher than expected influenza activity. A rate of over 400 ILI consultations per 100,000 patient population indicates an epidemic level of influenza activity.

Source: Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Influenza Weekly Update 2010/12


International situation

The World Health Organization has announced a review of the global response to the current influenza pandemic, which will examine how well the world was prepared, how well it responded, and how the International Health Regulations (2005) functioned. The review, which will be undertaken by about 29 experts in public health and science from around the world, aims to identify lessons learned and what the world needs to do to be better prepared for future pandemics and future threats to global public health.

As at 26 March 2010, more than 213 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic influenza, including nearly 17,000 laboratory-confirmed deaths. WHO is continuing to actively monitor the progress of the pandemic. The most active areas of transmission currently are in parts of Southeast Asia, West Africa, and in the tropical zone of the Americas.

WHO’s latest update on the pandemic is available on: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/