The World Health Organisation, has cautioned those trying to predict, if or when the alert level for the H1N1 virus, is raised.

The UN agency has placed the alert level to five, or one short, of declaring a pandemic.

WHO spokesperson, Gregory Hartl.

"That is not very easy to predict because transmission of influenza virus or of any virus for that matter does not necessarily move at the same speed. There could be a hiatus in its spread especially; we have not seen any confirmed instances of sustained human transmission in communities outside of the Americas. We don't know when that will happen, certainly we remain on alert in case that happens but it would not be prudent to make a prediction in that regard."

Hartl has reported close to 800 confirmed cases, from 17 countries.

In the US alone, there are nearly 230 cases across 30 states.

Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak, has reported over 500 confirmed cases, including 19 deaths.
However, it says the outbreak in the country is declining.

Mexico Health Minister, Jose Cordova.

"The evolution of the epidemic is now in its declining phase. Nationally, it peaked over the past few days, from the 23rd to 28th of April. Results show that the virus is susceptible to anti-viral agents that we had in strategic reserve. The preventative measures have apparently been effective in cutting the transmission of the virus."

International health experts are still studying the nature of the virus.