Update: H1N1 Virus

Statement

Update: H1N1 Virus

Posted by: Sen. Richard Burr

The World Health Organization recently raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. More than 70 countries around the world have confirmed cases of this novel influenza virus, including all 50 states at home in the United States. Improving our nation's preparedness and response capabilities for public health emergencies has long been a top priority of mine, and I will continue to closely monitor developments related to the novel H1N1 virus. The World Health Organization's action is a reminder of the seriousness of this novel influenza virus. While we do not yet know if this flu strain will emerge in a more lethal form during the upcoming 2009-2010 flu season, fortunately we have a window of several months to invest in essential tools to help prepare us to tackle the current public health emergency and what may confront us in the future.

All North Carolinians should take the proper precautions to ensure that they do all they can to reduce their risk of catching the flu. For more information about the World Health Organization's announcement and precautions that can be taken, I encourage people to visit the websites of the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/#stay_healthy), and the North Carolina Division of Public Health (http://www.ncpublichealth.com/). Additional information about North Carolina's flu activity is also available at http://www.flu.ncdhhs.gov/epi/gcdc/flu.html.

Source