The World Health Organization has officially declared an H1N1 flu pandemic.

But what does this mean for our area?

Officials with the Barren River Health Department tell WBKO the announcement is based on the fact H1N1 has spread to a large geographic area, and has nothing to do with an increased severity of the disease.

They add the announcement will have little effect locally because they have been prepared for a pandemic for several years.

Teresa Sterchi of the Communicable Disease Team adds there remain only two confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu in our area.