June 12, 2009

Just as mainstream media coverage of the H1N1 Swine Flu virus started to wane, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a big wake-up call.

Citing the current widespread outbreak of about 30,000 cases in 74 countries that have resulted in 145 deaths, as well as the potential for recurring and widespread outbreaks in the future, the WHO yesterday raised the Pandemic Alert Level to Phase 6 –  the highest phase possible. There have been more than 13,000 cases and 27 deaths in the U.S.

Dr. Margaret Chan, the director-general of the WHO, said that “the world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic. We are in the earliest days…”

This is certainly sobering information for those who assumed that the H1N1 Swine Flu would just go away, and that it’s nothing to worry about. The WHO is painting a totally different picture of what might lie ahead, and it doesn’t look too good. Although Chan does not foresee a sudden and dramatic jump in the number of severe or fatal infections, she also warned…

“Countries should prepare to see cases, or the further spread of cases, in the near future. Countries where outbreaks appear to have peaked should prepare for a second wave of infection.”

Flu strains are unpredictable (they usually do not spread like this during the summer months, for example, and H1N1 typically infects younger people, which is not usually the case with the flu).

Many people in the healthcare and medical industries feel that the forthcoming flu season this fall/winter could bring another round of H1N1 Swine Flu cases. This flu strain has never circulated before in humans, and it is not known if it will become stronger or weaker.

Many consumers have already chosen to order Tamiflu and have it on-hand in case they need it. Tamiflu is one of only two effective H1N1 Swine Flu treatments, according to the WHO.

AccessRx carries Tamiflu, and patients who are at least 21 years old can order it once per flu season.

Brian Bujdos