Interesting dilemma about tracking a flu virus, as noted by Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, today about “a subtle, sneaky virus.”

Under some pressure from some of its 193 members, the WHO may be considering a ‘course correction’ in how it announces a pandemic threat level. Here’s what Dr. Chan had to say:

“On the other hand, this gives us a dilemma. Scientists, clinicians, and epidemiologists are capturing abundant signals. But we do not have the scientific knowledge to interpret these signals with certainty. We have clues, many clues, but very few firm conclusions.”

We include the WHO levels’ in our pandemic planning exercises, so this policy shift has interesting bearing on many local and global groups.