US Pharm. 2010;35(9):6.
Washington, DC—According to the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations Emergency Committee and WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, MD, the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic is over. This declaration was based on strong indications that, worldwide, influenza is transitioning toward seasonal patterns of transmission. Out-of-season 2009 H1N1 outbreaks are no longer being seen in most countries, and the intensity of transmission is lower than that reported in 2009 and early 2010. The Emergency Committee said that the virus probably will continue to circulate for some years, taking on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus. The H1N1 virus has not disappeared; rather, current influenza outbreaks, including those caused by 2009 H1N1, show an intensity similar to that seen during seasonal epidemics. Vigilance remains important, especially in younger age groups and pregnant women, at least in the immediate postpandemic period.
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