The world is in the "earliest days" of a pandemic, its senior doctor warned yesterday.
Although there is a pandemic, affecting countries around the world, it is of "moderate severity", according to Dr Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organisation.
Dr Chan warned the new H1N1 virus – also known as Mexican swine flu – is different from other strains of flu.
It mainly infects children and young people, she said, but it can be fatal for adults aged between 30 and 50, usually people with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
She said: "Thanks to close monitoring, thorough investigations, and frank reporting from countries, we have some early snapshots depicting spread of the virus and the range of illness it can cause.
"We know, too, that this early, patchy picture can change very quickly. The virus writes the rules and this one, like all influenza viruses, can change the rules, without rhyme or reason, at any time.
"Globally, we have good reason to believe that this pandemic, at least in its early days, will be of moderate severity. As we know from experience, severity can vary, depending on many factors, from one country to another.
"On present evidence, the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment.
"Worldwide, the number of deaths is small. Each and every one of these deaths is tragic, and we have to brace ourselves to see more. However, we do not expect to see a sudden and dramatic jump in the number of severe or fatal infections."
WHO reported some 28,774 cases of the flu had been confirmed in 74 countries, including 144 deaths.
In Chile the total number of cases has soared to 1,694 while in Australia it has reached 1,307.
In Britain the total number of cases has reached 822.
The British chief medical officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson appeared to say there could be "several million" cases.
He quoted the figure after saying: "Once we start to see very large numbers, a judgment will have to be made as to whether there is any benefit in the closure of schools," and then being asked what he meant by "very large numbers".
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