WHO Director General: Swine Flu Pandemic Requires Preparedness, Not Triage

September 1, 2009 (LPAC) — In an exclusive interview with Le Monde, WHO Director General Margaret Chan expresses once again her deep concern over the world's lack of preparedness to fight swine flu.

First, she says, is the fact that, even though the disease remains for the most part very mild, the virus has spread in six weeks throughout the planet, while normally it would have taken six months. The virus is very contagious and threatens to infect up to 30% of densely populated countries.

Second stands the deadly threat to young people in good health: "60% of deaths are persons suffering from pre-existing medical problems, which implies that 40% of deaths are among young adults — in good health — who die in five or seven days of viral pneumonia. That's the most disconcerting fact. To treat these patients is very hard and difficult.

"In many countries, the emergency services and intensive care units are under extreme pressure. In a world with 6.8 billion people, what will happen if the disease strikes 20-30% of the population? What will happen if the disease becomes more severe, and without our being prepared? Many resources will be used at the expense of patients with cancer or cardiovascular disease."

Therefore, says Mme. Chan, extra resources have to be mobilized. We can't take resources away from one patient in order to treat another patient. "Any responsible government should prepare for the worst and hope for the best." What we need most, she concludes, is "political leadership."