According to the World Health Organization, the H1N1 outbreak is now in the post pandemic period. This alert finally declares the swine flu pandemic a thing of the past. However, just because it is not a pandemic anymore does not mean that the virus has disappeared.

The World Health Organization expects the H1N1 virus to take the role of a seasonal influenza virus now. They expect that it will continue to circulate in certain areas for some years now. New Zealand and India are still presently experiencing outbreaks of the virus, however.

Dr Margaret Chan, the World Health Organization director general, said that globally, the levels and patterns of the H1N1 transmission are now differing significantly from what was observed during the pandemic. Out of season outbreaks are no longer being reported in either the northern or southern hemisphere.

The H1N1 virus was first recorded in Veracruz, Mexico back in April of 2009. After that it spread across North America, Europe and south east Asia in the following months. The World health Organization incrementally increased its Pandemic Alert Level during 2009. It eventually reached the highest level, Phase 6, and finally became labeled a pandemic on June 11.

Of course, the World Health Organization has come under a lot of heat lately. They have been accused of causing panic during many months over the way that they reacted to the outbreak. World Health Organization officials have denied the accusations, saying that the media portal of the pandemic was causing the majority of the problems. Either way, the H1N1 virus is now under control, and it’s pandemic rating has been revoked.