EL PASO -- The swine flu virus that killed two El Pasoans and infected 160 others has become a pandemic illness that keeps spreading throughout the world, health officials said Thursday.
"Phase 6 will be announced shortly, and it's already with us," said Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, director of the Pan American Health Organization, one of the front-line officials helping coordinate the global alert and response system to the virus.
The World Health Organization, or WHO, uses a six-phase system to describe how widespread a virus has become. The A (H1N1) swine flu virus, which was first reported in April in Mexico, has spread to 22 countries. A phase 6, or pandemic stage, refers to a generalized virus, rather than to how severe it is.
Editor's note: Several government agencies point to preparations to include 3 month food, water, medical supplies. Flu season typically begins late September, peaks in February and slows in May. There is still time. See emergency preparedness resources at Dare To Prepare.
See related pandemic articles here.
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