Influenza A: 'Virus will spread far and wide'

2009/05/16

Influenza A: 'Virus will spread far and wide'

GENEVA: The World Health Organisation said yesterday research suggests the influenza A virus was so contagious, it would probably spread to new, unaffected regions.

Acting WHO assistant director-general Keiji Fukuda said studies by experts indicated a "significant number of people" had been infected but remained undetected or unconfirmed by laboratory tests.

"Their work also suggests that the virus is transmissible enough that we will expect to see continued community level outbreaks and regional spread.