Swine Flu Pandemic Declared Imminent

By Tom Randall @Bloomberg

April 29 (Bloomberg) -- The World Health Organization warned the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is “imminent” and urged stepped-up preparations after swine flu was confirmed in at least nine countries and 11 U.S. states.

WHO raised the level of its six-tier alert system to 5, indicating little time remains for countries to complete emergency plans. U.S. cases jumped to 94, from 64 yesterday, with hundreds of suspected cases at New York schools. President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion for an outbreak and warned parents to prepare for school closings.