Worldwide Pandemic Flu Declaration 'Close'

GENEVA, Switzerland (ENS) - The World Health Organization is 'getting close' to declaring a worldwide pandemic of the novel H1N1 influenza virus, a senior official said today.

The virus, also called human swine flu, has spread to 73 countries that have reported 26,563 laboratory confirmed cases of the illness, with 140 deaths, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general for health, security and environment, told reporters on a teleconference today.

'We are getting close to declaring a pandemic. But we are trying to get as much information out to countries as we can that would relieve anxiety,' Dr. Fukuda said. 'Right now we consider the situation to be relatively moderate.'

Worldwide Pandemic Flu Declaration 'Close'