As the assessed global risk reduces, de-escalation of global actions may occur, and

reduction in response activities or movement towards recovery actions by countries

may be appropriate, according to their own risk assessments.

The global phases and their application in risk management are distinct from (1) the

determination of a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern) under

the IHR (2005) and (2) the declaration of a pandemic. These are based upon specific

This is the phase when influenza caused by a new subtype has been identified in

humans. Increased vigilance and careful risk assessment, at local, national and global

levels, are characteristic of this phase. If the risk assessments indicate that the new

virus is not developing into a pandemic strain, a de-escalation of activities towards

those in the interpandemic phase may occur.

In relation to the global effort to improve influenza pandemic preparedness, the generic

term “pandemic” has been interpreted specifically in relation to influenza and most

often refers to:

1. Phases 5-6 (Pandemic) of the phases of pandemic alert, published in the 2009

Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response: a WHO guidance document (1)

2. Pandemic phase, as defined in Pandemic Influenza Risk Management WHO

Interim Guidance, 2013 replacing the 2009 Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their

families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the

prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and assessment and

treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.