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Current WHO phase of pandemic alert

[since] November 2005

Current phase of alert in the WHO global influenza preparedness plan
WHO global influenza preparedness plan (pdf file available in multiple languages)

Experts at WHO and elsewhere believe that the world is now closer to another influenza pandemic than at any time since 1968, when the last of the previous century's three pandemics occurred. WHO uses a series of six phases of pandemic alert as a system for informing the world of the seriousness of the threat and of the need to launch progressively more intense preparedness activities.

The designation of phases, including decisions on when to move from one phase to another, is made by the Director-General of WHO.

Each phase of alert coincides with a series of recommended activities to be undertaken by WHO, the international community, governments, and industry. Changes from one phase to another are triggered by several factors, which include the epidemiological behaviour of the disease and the characteristics of circulating viruses.

The world is presently in phase 3: a new influenza virus subtype is causing disease in humans, but is not yet spreading efficiently and sustainably among humans.

Human Victims of Bird Flu: Deaths since 2003

The latest worldwide death toll from bird flu since 2003. Major countries in the Asia-Pacific region took part in an exercise designed to test their response to a bird flu pandemic that experts fear could kill tens of millions of people.(AFP Illustration)

Update July 5, 2006: 40 confirmed H5N1 deaths in Indonesia

Get the latest news

It seems that every day there is a new report on advances in bird flu legislation and vaccines. There are also stories of new outbreaks. Stay on top of the situation. Find out everything you can and pass on the stories others need to hear.

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Bird flu 101

Find out how infections spread in humans, what bird flu has in common with SARS, and how viruses travel. The more we know, the more we can prepare -- which greatly increases our chances of averting this potentially deadly pandemic.

The complete guide

How is bird flu diagnosed and treated? Are there vaccines or other effective means of prevention? Get and share answers to these questions and many more.

All about pandemics

What exactly is a pandemic? How can we prepare for one? Learn about the pandemics that have happened in the past and what our chances are of overcoming a new one.

Information for specific groups

Are you living abroad or traveling to a country that has had an outbreak of bird flu? Are you a healthcare professional and potentially in close contact with the disease? For folks who are on the frontlines, here's some special info and a place to connect with others in your situation.