Avian Influenza and the Pandemic Threat

The United Nations (UN) Medical Directors developed this document to provide guidance to UN organizations to prepare and respond to an influenza pandemic. Technical input was provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other public health and infectious disease experts.

UNSIC has sustained the achievements of its first two-three years, adapted to changing circumstances and continued to support effective coordination on influenza, as well as more broadly on pandemic preparedness and One Health. It has operated effectively at both global and country/regional level, and provided crucial linkages between UN agencies and other non-UN actors at all levels. There are significant lessons to be learned from UNSIC’s light, networked approach to supporting coordination.

Dr David Nabarro (Senior UN System Influenza Coordinator) led a roundtable on preparedness at the ISDR Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva on 10 May. The Roundtable explored best practices for financing and coordinating disaster preparedness efforts. 300 people attended the roundtable, which was addressed by panelists from the European Parliament, the Governments of Chile and the United States, and the United Nations.

15 September 2010 - The UN and WB hosted a discussion on the publication of the final UN/World Bank 2010 report entitled "Animal and Pandemic Influenza – A Framework for Sustaining Momentum."

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What does post-pandemic mean? How do we know that the pandemic is over?

10 AUGUST 2010 | GENEVA -- The world is now in the post-pandemic period. Based on knowledge about past pandemics, the H1N1 (2009) virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus for some years to come. While the level of concern is now greatly diminished, vigilance on the part of national health authorities remains important. Such vigilance is especially critical in the immediate post-pandemic period, when the behaviour of the H1N1 (2009) virus as a seasonal virus cannot be reliably predicted.

Director-General's opening statement at virtual press conference

10 August 2010 -- The world is no longer in phase 6 of influenza pandemic alert. We are now moving into the post-pandemic period. The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course.

These are the views of members of the Emergency Committee, which was convened earlier today by teleconference.

The Committee based its assessment on the global situation, as well as reports from several countries that are now experiencing influenza. I fully agree with the Committee’s advice.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 22

21 JULY 2010 | GENEVA -- As part of regular monitoring of H1N1 pandemic influenza, the WHO is in close dialogue with public health experts in countries worldwide, specifically to determine whether H1N1 activity has returned to levels and patterns normally seen for seasonal flu.

23 July 2010 -- As of 18 July 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18366 deaths.

WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.
Situation update:

16 July 2010 -- As of 12 July, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18337deaths.

WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and Member States and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.
Situation update: