So far, so lucky. A week after the world was first alerted to a potential flu pandemic from Mexico, the virus is proving relatively mild and the response quite robust. Despite some weaknesses from international organisations, the greatest challenge is a divergence in governments’ reactions.

There are gripes about the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its regional affiliates over the speed of response, the sharing of information, and uncertainties created by the unveiling of a new pandemic alert system, as well as a confusing switch in the name of the virus.