clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk   
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global flu pandemic after holding an emergency meeting, according to reports.

It means the swine flu virus is spreading in at least two regions of the world with rising cases being seen in the UK, Australia, Japan and Chile.

The move does not necessarily mean the virus is causing more severe illness or more deaths.

spread to 74 countries.
28,000 cases globally and 141 deaths
first flu pandemic in 40 years
current pandemic seems to be moderate and causing mild illness in most people
the virus seems to be crowding out normal seasonal influenza.

Flu expert Professor John Oxford, said people should not panic as the outbreak was milder than others seen in the past century.

"It is global and fulfilling the requirements of a pandemic but I don't think anyone should worry because nothing drastic has happened between yesterday and today."