Influenza virus H1N1 update

On 11 June, Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), decided to raise the level of influenza H1N1 pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6: this does not signify that the virus is more severe than before, it is simply an indicator that the virus continues to spread.

According to Margaret Chan "the virus is spreading under close and careful watch. [...] No previous pandemic has been detected so early and watched so closely in real time, right at the very beginning."

In the conclusion of her press communiqué, she states: "WHO continues to recommend no restrictions on travel and no bordure closures."

In France, considering the relatively low number of confirmed cases, the Government decided this Friday morning that the situation is allowing to stay at the previous alert level (5A). At the moment, besides giving regular updates to the public and informing passengers at airports, railway stations and ports, no other measures are foreseen.