WHO declares 21st century’s first flu pandemic

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday declared the swine flu epidemic has reached global pandemic status, the first in 41 years.

The numbers infected with the disease across the world have now almost reached 30,000 and experts say it is unstoppable.

WHO chief Dr Margaret Chan declared the pandemic following an emergency meeting between flu experts and the UN. It means the swine flu virus is spreading in at least two regions of the world with rising cases being seen in Britain, Australia, Japan and Chile.