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"Viruses are not smart. We are" (Dr. Chan, WHO)

553 views · Published 18 May 2009 · 2:16 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: United Nations · 2009 · News & Politics

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United Nations, New York, 18 May 2009 - Daily Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. The World Health Assembly, which is the supreme decision-making body for the World Health Organization (WHO), is starting its 62nd session today in Geneva.
The Assembly plans to discuss a number of public health issues, such as pandemic influenza preparedness. In that regard, participants expect to discuss the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines.

Today in Geneva, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), addressed a high-level consultation on pandemic influenza A(H1N1).
She told participants, We are all under pressure to make urgent and far-reaching decisions in an atmosphere of considerable scientific uncertainty. 
She also said the following to those gathered: The job of managing public perceptions and behaviors also falls on our shoulders. We need to warn the public when necessary, but reassure them whenever possible. This is a difficult balancing act.
In additional remarks to the opening of the World Health Assembly today, Dr. Chan said: Influenza viruses have the great advantage of surprise on their side. But viruses are not smart. We are.
Meanwhile, according to WHOs latest tally, 40 countries have now officially reported 8,829 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. That figure includes 74 deaths. 

WHO Website:
http://www.who.int

Dr Chan's address to the Health Assembly:
http://www.who.int/entity/dg/speeches/2009/62nd_assembly_address_20090518/en/index.html

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