WHO declares end to global swine flu pandemic

"The World Health Organization is declaring an end to the global swine flu pandemic," the Associated Press/Seattle Times reports. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan "said Wednesday the pandemic is considered over by WHO's emergency committee due to global factors and reports from several nations" and because "the new H1N1 virus has largely run its course," according to the news agency.

Chan "said she agrees with the committee but 'this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has gone away,'" the AP states. "Chan said she expects swine flu to now act like a seasonal flu virus and continue to circulate for some years to come," according to the article (8/10).