Authors: Andrew Throdahl

People wait for the H1N1 swine flu test at Korea University Hospital on October 27, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images(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

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