The H1N1 Influenza A Virus: A Test Case for a Global ResponseAbout this Paper:The threat of widespread infection from the new H1N1 influenza A virus (also known as a swine flu virus) provides the first real-time test of the global and domestic preparedness activities that have moved forward over the past few years. The World Health Organization has declared the event a "public health emergency of international concern," the first time that designation has been used under the revised International Health Regulations. A public health emergency has also been declared in the United States.Those steps have pushed influenza plans at the local, state, national, and global levels into motion. This paper reviews the strategies, directives, and guidance documents that have been developed in recent years to meet the challenge of a long- anticipated, widespread influenza outbreak. For more information about the global response, |
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