Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 2009 - Current situation in the WHO African Region

As of May 26, 2010, 09H00 GMT, 35 countries have officially reported 18,598 laboratory confirmed human cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 including 168 deaths.

View breakdown of confirmed cases by country

In focus: WHO responds to current critical scrutiny

In a letter to BMJ editors dated 8 June 2010, the Director-General strongly refuted allegations of conflicts of interest leveled at WHO in a recent editorial and feature published in the medical journal. "At no time, not for one second, did commercial interests enter my decision-making", said the Director-General.

WHO Director-General’s letter to BMJ editors
8 June 2010

The international response to the influenza pandemic: WHO responds to the critics
10 June 2010

Pandemic H1N1 documents

- Global updates

- Technical guidelines

All countries in the region have activated their national emergency preparedness and contingency response plans

A crisis management team has been put in place by the Regional Director at the regional office (Brazzaville) and the sub regional levels (Intercountry Support teams in Harare, Zimbabwe, Gabon and Burkina Faso)) to work closely with countries to boost their disease surveillance to ensure that any suspected case of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is detected early.

Stockpiles of relevant medicines have been dispatched to all countries in the region as well as mapping laboratory and human resources capability at country and regional levels to enable WHO to support Member States to respond rapidly to any suspected outbreaks.

Our advice is to the public is not to panic but to take necessary preventive measures such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette in households, the community, health care facilities as well as in other settings where people gather.



WHO AFRO Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Crisis Management Committee meeting on Friday 1st May 09

Staff of WHO AFRO dispatching stocks of medicines to countries in the region
Media Speeches Speech by Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, WHO Regional Director for Africa at the Opening of the African Conference on Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Johannesburg, South Africa, 11-13 August 2009 Press Releases Pandemic Influenza puts additional pressure on sub Saharan Africa's health systems WHO Confirms Ten Cases of Pandemic H1N1 2009 in the African region. Africa Continues To Strengthen Capacity To Deal With A/H1N1 WHO Regional Director for Africa calls for strengthening of capacity for early detection and control of flu virus in the Region Africa Braces Up to Combat Swine-Flu Joint FAO/WHO/OIE Statement on influenza A(H1N1) and the safety of pork Videos - Prevent the spread of FLU

Epidemic & Pandemic alert and Response (EPR)

Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 2009 - Current situation in the WHO African Region

Highlights