Authors: Andrew Throdahl (GENEVA) -- The H1N1 virus, more
commonly known as swine flu, has "largely run its course,"
according to Dr. Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the
World Health Organization, which announced that Wednesday. The
WHO now says the world has entered the post-pandemic period,
meaning the virus has become a cyclical, relatively innocuous
threat. "Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the
H1N1 virus to take on the behaviour of a seasonal influenza
virus and continue to circulate for some years to come," Dr.
Chan says. Dr. Chan also said the world lucked out during the
pandemic, since the virus did not mutate into something
untreatable. The H1N1 vaccine also proved to be a success in
preventing the disease from claiming more lives. "Thanks to
extensive preparedness and support from the international
community, even countries with very weak health systems were
able to detect cases and report them promptly." Copyright 2011
ABC News Radio