Pandemic Alert Level 6
What Does it Mean?

Pandemic phases were established by the World Health Organization to signal step-ups in pandemic plans by member countries.

Subway, Mexico City, April, 2009
Photo courtesy of Luis Alberto

Moving to pandemic level 6, based on WHO's original pandemic levels, merely meant that a virus was spreading from person to person in more than one world region. And it kept going.

In other words, the virus could continue to infect people in contact with each other – down the line. That is known as transmissibility. It means how easily a virus is given to others.

WHO's new system is expected to have levels of severity. For example, WHO will indicate, by pandemic level (perhaps A, B, C), whether the flu virus is mild, moderate or severe, based on how many people are hospitalized and how many have died.

Pandemic Alert Level 6
What Happens Next?

• Stop, limit or otherwise limit the spread of a pandemic to the US
• Limit the domestic spread of a pandemic, and mitigate disease, suffering and death
• Sustain infrastructure and mitigate impact to the economy and functioning of society

Your country probably will have similar goals stated in its plan. Countries have passed legislation so that they can meet those goals. What happens during pandemic alert level 6 is that your country can now do things a little differently. For example, here is what you might now see in your country, based on what laws have been passed:

• Money will be released. Some may be allocated to flu medicines or vaccine production, and some to aiding less fortunate countries.

• Government pandemic preparedness plans will be put into action – what happens in your community will depend on what the plan is...

• If there is a shortage of hospital beds, medicines and vaccines, the government can decide who gets medical care. First come, first served will not be in effect during a pandemic with health care shortages. In the US, first in line are: government (essential) personnel, military, health care workers.

• The government can require that you be examined for illness – to prevent spread of the disease.

• The government can quarantine you. In the US, the Miami International Airport is being considered as a quarantine area for the airlines.

• The government can cancel public events and gatherings, including church.

• The government can quarantine you to your home. In fact, it can quarantine a whole town to prevent spread of the disease.

• The government can enact curfews – and enforce them.

• You can be required to get treatment – or mandatory vaccinations.

• The military may enforce any of the above, including the initiation of martial law, if your government leaders deem it necessary.

Your Family and its Safety

It is time for you to take stock of your family's pandemic preparedness.

• Make sure you have enough food and water n hand.

• Teach your family about flu prevention .

• Have a plan for self-imposed social distancing .

• Decide now how you will take care of a sick person, especially if hospital care is not available and you are forced to give in home care .

• Consider options like home schooling and working from home – to limit your family's contact with sick people.

The swine flu is giving us a window of opportunity. Yes, it is spreading, but you still have time to get your family ready. The best ways to avoid getting the flu are hand washing and staying away from sick people. If you act now, you can figure out a way to do both!

More about Pandemics