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WHO Declares End to H1N1 Pandemic Alert

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan announced on August 10 that the world is no longer under an H1N1 pandemic alert and is entering the post-pandemic period.

Members of the WHO's Emergency Committee made the determination after reviewing the current global status of the outbreak. The WHO expects the pH1N1 virus to take on the characteristics of a typical seasonal influenza with sporadic localized outbreaks in future years. The pH1N1 virus is no longer the dominant influenza virus circulating in most areas of the world. Global health authorities are reporting a mixture of influenza viruses.

The WHO indicated that continued vigilance is important and expressed uncertainty regarding the severity of symptoms observed going forward. Dr. Chan noted that the virus did not mutate into a more lethal form as had been feared early on and the antiviral drug oseltamivir remained effective in most cases. There is likely significant immunity within the global population from exposure and vaccination resulting in increased community-wide immunity in many areas.

Source: The World Health Organization, August 10, 2010