According to the World Health Organization, the human H1N1/09 Type A influenza ("Swine Flu") has reached a pandemic level. Over 500,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide with at least 6,500 fatalities. Since there is no longer a requirement to test and report individual cases, these numbers undoubtedly understate the real situation.
There are currently only two approved drugs ("Oseltamivir" and "Zanamivir") based on evidence that both worked for the seasonal influenza A. The vaccine for H1N1/09 Type A has just been clinically tested and is now available to the public, however drug-resistant strains of the virus have emerged recently in Norway, Hong Kong and the USA.
Buchang USA Inc. together with the Chinese Cultural Foundation and Greater China Corporation co-organized the first Buchang Health Forum - 2009 in New York City to focus on this global health emergency. The primary goal of the Buchang Health Forum was to provide an integrative "East-meets-West" platform for healthcare experts and patient advocacy groups to exchange their views and knowledge on the management of this and other global pandemics.
During a panel discussion at the Buchang Forum, David Jin, M.D., Ph.D. of Cornell University introduced the concept of integrative medicine and how to optimize prevention and treatment strategies for the H1N1 infection. Dr. Jin stated that: "This global pandemic can only be managed and controlled through international collaboration of medical, pharmaceutical, and educational resources."