Swine Flu and the World Cup
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H1N1 Pandemic "officially over" - WHO declares
The World Health Organisation (WHO) today declared an end to the H1N1 pandemic but urged continued vigilance. "We are now moving into the post-pandemic period. The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course,” WHO Director-General Margaret Chan told reporters. “Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behaviour of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come. Pandemics, like the viruses that cause them, are unpredictable. So is the immediate post-pandemic period,” she stated.
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Travel News
People travelling to the Southern Hemisphere, including the World Cup in South Africa, should be vaccinated against swine ‘flu to prevent them from catching the virus, and from bringing it back. The Southern Hemisphere ‘flu season is expected to start shortly. See here for more information from the Department of Health - and contact us for details of our special vaccination arrangements.
The football World Cup this summer falls at the height of the Southern Hemisphere flu season. The UK Department of Health recommends H1N1 Swine Flu vaccination for British travellers attending the event, since crowded conditions at a peak transmission time could easily lead to a high number of cases. If you are planning to travel, please contact us for details of our special vaccination sessions.
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