Meaning of the Pandemic Alert Issued by the World Health Organization (WHO)

You have probably heard a lot about the term “phase” of the pandemic alert issued by the World Health Organization lately. But, do you know the actual meaning of it and the definition associated with each phase? Perhaps you may have asked questions such as

l The actual number of phases in the pandemic influenza warning
l The meaning of each phase in the pandemic influenza warning

As defined by the World Health Organization, there are 6 phases following by “Post Peak” and “Post Pandemic” respectively.

Generally speaking, phases 1 to 3 indicate that the pandemic is predominantly animal infections and there are few human infections.

Up one level is Phase 4 indicating that the situation has become worsen, sustaining that the virus can transmit from human to human causing community level outbreaks.

Phases 5 to 6 indicate that there will be widespread of the virus with multiple human infections. Phase 6 indicates that the situation is very serious and a world-wide pandemic is under way. On the other hand, a strong signal of a pandemic is imminent when the warning of phase 5 is issued.

Post-peak period means that although there appears to be a decrease of pandemic activities, there is a possibility of recurrent events and a second wave may be coming.

In Post-pandemic period, the influenza disease becomes seasonal and the virus will return at a specific season. Surveillance of the virus is of utmost important.