ECDC agrees with WHO that raising the pandemic alert to level 5 is an appropriate response. This is because of sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus in Mexico and the US.

EU health ministers are meeting tomorrow in Luxembourg.

Countries around the world will now have to start implementing the actions foreseen in their national pandemic plans. Health experts have anticipated for many years that another pandemic was due.

Despite the fact that influenza is a serious disease that kills many vulnerable people every year, Europe has never been better prepared for a pandemic. It is right that people are concerned but planning for a pandemic has been accelerating over the last few years.

It is very important that the reaction of Europe and its citizens to this emergency is proportionate to the threat. This is a disease that we know a lot about. Health officials in the EU and its Member States have been working intensively on pandemic preparedness since 2005.

The number of countries reporting confirmed cases with Influenza A(H1N1) virus infection (human swine influenza H1N1) or persons with influenza-like illness being investigated for such infection is increasing rapidly.

Actions that will be taken in the EU will include:

• Intensified surveillance and testing for this new influenza virus
  
• Case management
  
• Use of antivirals

EU health ministers are meeting tomorrow in Luxembourg.