The A(H1N1) virus had reached the pandemic alert and it’s the first flu pandemic over 40 years as declared by WHO.  It infected thousands of people now in 74 countries including the Philippines.

It’s a moderate pandemic but this doesn’t mean that the A(H1N1) virus would be deadlier as the pandemic level had reached the highest level now. It’s not a lethal virus and in the thousands of people infected, only 144 had died and usually healthy people with no illness can usually get rid of the flu even without some kind of medication.  The level alert is just an indication that the virus is spreading beyond American regions and it continues to spread although it’s really not lethal.

They raised the pandemic alert level to 6 because complacency is the WHO’s biggest concern.  There should be flexibility in the response to this virus and because it continues to infect more and more people, they believe that it will last for 1 or 2 more years. The pandemic alert doesn’t’ mean they will be closing boarders but because of people’s mobility, it’s the one that is causing the virus to spread so more measures should be taken to lessen the effect of mobility to the spreading of virus.

It is still a person’s prerogative to keep themselves as safe as possible. Wash hands and avoid shaking hands and if possible, don’t travel to other countries where the virus continues to spread so you would have less chances of acquiring it.

It is a bit scary that it reached the pandemic level 6 but at least it’s not the deadly kind of virus. The previous pandemic had killed millions of people and the previous pandemics did just that as well.  With the recent studies on viruses, it is easier for us now to combat it even if it gets to a dangerous level but prevention is still better than cure.