WHO "very close" to declaring phase 6—global flu pandemic—how many have died because of its delay?

In a press conference in Washington on June 4, Dr. Jon Andrus of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), reported that the World Health Organization "is very close" to declaring a global flu pandemic—Phase 6 of the WHO's classification system. Dr. Andrus reported that a group of health experts from 30 countries met three days ago to address issues related to "how close we are to Phase 6."

In the past two weeks, the WHO and PAHO have said little publicly, while the AH1N1 virus has continued to spread throughout the world, with significant increases in Asia, Africa and South America. In the Americas, there is great concern over the situation in the Southern Cone, particularly in Chile, where the virus is spreading like wildfire, with 369 cases, the highest on the continent.

LPAC had earlier exposed the filthy role of Britain's Health Minister, who insisted at the WHO's annual conference May 19, that the criteria for declaring a pandemic had to be changed, to include such factors as "severity." The WHO agreed with the British and delayed the declaration of a pandemic.

In his response to a question from Executive Intelligence Review, Dr. Andrus indicated how hot the issue had become. EIR asked him why the WHO changed the criteria used to declare a pandemic, mentioning the British role, and added, "Shouldn't a pandemic have already been declared?"

"This is a question that comes up frequently," Dr. Andrus revealed. "Some experts say that Phase 6 should have been declared long ago, and I can't say I disagree with them." Not commenting on the British, he punted, saying that the issue had been discussed "in many bodies," and that the Asians had also insisted on changing the criteria. Meanwhile, 396 case have been confirmed in Japan.

In his subsequent remarks, Dr. Andrus indicated exactly why a pandemic should have already been declared, and health resources mobilized internationally. There is no sign "that the virus is going away," he said. "It is so unpredictable." In Chile, the AH1N1 flu is displacing the seasonal flu, and is far more infectious. The virus is likely to "recombine and change," posing an even greater threat, he warned.

This is the "emerging pattern," Dr. Andrus said," that is likely to occur in other Southern Cone nations. "What may be happening in Chile is what happens with the usual evolution of a pandemic."

What is WHO waiting for?