CARROLL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

(BRIEF) SWINE FLU UPDATE

12 June 2009

· On 11 June 2009 the World Health Organization raised its Global Pandemic Phase to SIX, the highest possible. The WHO official definition of Phase SIX is “Pandemic phase: increased and sustained transmission in the general population.” The practical effect of this is minimal. The CDC’s actions during the past month have been as if there was a full pandemic in the U. S. While the WHO stresses that most cases are mild and require no treatment, the fear is that a rash of new infections could overwhelm hospitals and health authorities, especially in poorer countries.

· On 10 June 2009 the Maryland State Public Health Laboratory reported the first two cases of confirmed SF in Carroll County. No details on the cases.