WHO: Flu pandemic may be happening

The head of the World Health Organisation says the swine flu outbreak appears to have reached pandemic proportions.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan says “on the surface of it” she believes a pandemic has been reached.

Ms Chan says she will hold a conference call with governments tomorrow in order to verify some of the reports she has received before making a formal announcement.

She told reporters in Geneva today: “Once I get indisputable evidence, I will make the announcement.”

WHO says the virus has infected 26,563 people in 73 countries and caused 140 deaths.

Most of the cases have been in North America but Europe and Australia have also seen a sharp increase in recent days.