The Directorate of Health has, in response to World Health Organization (WHO) data, lowered Iceland’s precautions against the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu.
While H1N1 is still present in the world, the WHO believes that great strides have been made to bring the virus under control. For this and other reasons, the Directorate of Health said in a statement to the public, Iceland has lowered its precautions against the virus.
“There will be no special operations conducted in Iceland against the virus,” the statement reads in part, “apart from following the movement and treatment of the virus in this country, with preparations in place to control any outbreaks that might occur on short notice.” The Directorate of Health thanks the intensive vaccination program that was conducted in Iceland for preventing the further spread of the virus.
Swine flu first appeared in Iceland in the summer of 2009. Soon, about a hundred people were hospitalized, ten of which went into critical care. One person passed away from the illness. However, a vaccination program brought immunity to half the country by February of this year, and vaccinations are still available for those who want them.