The World Health Organizations Phases of a pandemic

Summary

The script discusses the WHO's pandemic alert phases, detailing the progression from Phase 1 to Phase 6 in response to the 2009 H1N1 outbreak. It outlines each phase, from no human infection to a global pandemic. By February 21, 2020, the novel coronavirus had reached Phase 6, indicating a pandemic, despite WHO's initial non-pandemic classification.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The novel coronavirus was in its early stages globally at the time of the script.
• ⚠️ The World Health Organization had not yet classified it as a pandemic but had set a high-level threat.
• 📈 The WHO uses a 6-phase scale to assess the risk of a pandemic, known as the 'Pandemic Alert and Response' system.
• 🐾 Phase 1 indicates no viruses circulating among animals have been reported to cause human infection.
• 🐓 Phase 2 is when an animal influenza virus known to infect humans is considered a potential pandemic threat.
• 🚑 Phase 3 involves sporadic human cases or small clusters without sustained human-to-human transmission.
• 🔗 Phase 4 is marked by verified human-to-human transmission capable of causing community-level outbreaks.
• 🌍 Phase 5 signifies human-to-human spread into at least two countries in one WHO region, indicating an imminent pandemic.
• 🌎 Phase 6 is characterized by community-level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region, confirming a global pandemic.
• 📅 The script suggests that on February 21st, the criteria for Phase 6 were met, indicating a pandemic level threat.

Q & A

What is the current classification of the novel coronavirus by the World Health Organization?

As of the information provided in the transcript, the World Health Organization has not yet classified the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.

What are the six phases of the WHO's pandemic alert system?

The six phases are: 1) No viruses circulating among animals have been reported to cause infection in humans; 2) An animal influenza virus circulating among animals is known to have caused infection in humans; 3) An animal or human-animal influenza virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people; 4) Verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause community-level outbreaks; 5) Human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region; 6) Community-level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region.

Which phase indicates that a pandemic is imminent according to the WHO's pandemic alert system?

Phase five indicates that a pandemic is imminent, characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region.

What was the significance of the 31st of December 2019 in relation to the novel coronavirus?

On the 31st of December 2019, China first alerted the World Health Organization about an unusual pneumonia, which marked the beginning of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

When did the novel coronavirus meet the criteria for Phase 3 according to the WHO's pandemic alert system?

The novel coronavirus met the criteria for Phase 3 on the 22nd of January when China had more than 550 new cases.

What actions were taken by China on the 23rd of January in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak?

On the 23rd of January, air and rail departures were suspended in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

When did the novel coronavirus reach Phase 5 in the WHO's pandemic alert system?

The novel coronavirus reached Phase 5 on the 26th of January when a South Korean man was admitted to the hospital, indicating human-to-human spread into at least two countries in one WHO region.

What event marked the novel coronavirus reaching Phase 6 in the WHO's pandemic alert system?

Phase 6 was reached on the 21st of February when sixteen new confirmed cases in Lombardy, Italy, were detected, indicating community-level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region.

Why did the WHO not classify the novel coronavirus as a pandemic even after reaching Phase 6 in their alert system?

Despite reaching Phase 6, the WHO still classified the outbreak as non-pandemic, possibly due to their assessment of the overall global impact and the criteria they use for pandemic declaration.

What is the primary difference between Phase 4 and Phase 5 in the WHO's pandemic alert system?

Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission causing community-level outbreaks, while Phase 5 involves human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region.

What does Phase 6 of the WHO's pandemic alert system signify?

Phase 6 signifies that a global pandemic is underway, with community-level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region.