The Lancet
May 09, 2009   Volume 373  Number 9675  Pages 1577 – 1658
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Editorial
Pre-empting a pandemic—fact or fiction?
The Lancet
Preview
Human-to-human transmission of influenza A (H1N1) has been confirmed and on April 29, WHO raised the influenza pandemic alert to phase 5. Panic has ensued in some regions: the culling of hundreds of thousands of pigs has been ordered in Egypt; pork trade has been restricted; facemasks have been widely distributed; airports are using thermal-based scanners to screen passengers. These measures have little, or no, evidence for their implementation. There is uncertainty regarding travel advisories; WHO does not advise restriction of regular travel or closure of borders, whereas recommendations in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia are to avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico.king programme, which needs further research and assessment.