World Health Organization Raises Threat Level, Says Containment Not Feasible

(CEP News) - The World Health Organization raised its pandemic risk level to 4 from 3 and said the swine flu virus cannot be contained.The fourth threat level represents "Evidence of increased human-to-human transmission." Level 6 is the highest level on the scale and indicates "efficient & sustained human-to-human transmission," or that a pandemic is taking place.

After the announcement, stock market futures fell to about 0.7% below closing levels.