What Is An Influenza Pandemic?

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.
 
Historically, the 20th century saw 3 pandemics of influenza:

• 1918 influenza pandemic caused at least 500,000 U.S. deaths and up to 40 million deaths worldwide
• 1957 influenza pandemic caused at least 70,000 U.S. deaths and 1-2 million deaths worldwide
• 1968 influenza pandemic caused about 34,000 U.S. deaths and 700,000 deaths worldwide

Characteristics and challenges of a pandemic

(1) Rapid Worldwide Spread

• When a pandemic influenza virus emerges, its global spread is considered inevitable.
• Preparedness activities should assume that the entire world population would be susceptible.
• Countries might, -through measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, delay arrival of the virus, but cannot stop it.

(2) Health Care Systems Overloaded

• Most people have little or no immunity to a pandemic virus. Infection and illness rates soar. A substantial percentage of the world's population will require some form of medical care.
• Nations unlikely to have the staff, facilities, equipment and hospital beds needed to cope with large numbers of people who suddenly fall ill.
• Inadequate supplies antivirals drugs, the two most important medical interventions for reducing illness and deaths, are of particular concern.
• Death rates are high, largely determined by four factors: the number of people who become infected, the virulence of the virus, the underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations and the effectiveness of preventive measures.
• Past pandemics have spread globally in two and sometimes three waves.

(3) Medical Supplies Inadequate

• The need for vaccine is likely to outstrip supply.
• The need for antiviral drugs is also likely to be inadequate early in a pandemic.
• A pandemic can create a shortage of hospital beds, ventilators and other supplies. Surge capacity at non-traditional sites such as schools may be created to cope with demand
• Difficult decisions will need to be made regarding who gets antiviral drugs and vaccines.

(4) Economic and Social Disruption

• Travel bans, closings of schools and businesses and cancellations of events could have major impact on communities and citizens.
• Care for sick family members and fear of exposure can result in significant worker absenteeism.

Communications and Information are Critical Components of Pandemic Response

Education and outreach are critical to preparing for a pandemic. Understanding what a pandemic is, what needs to be done at all levels to prepare for pandemic influenza, and what could happen during a pandemic helps us make informed decisions both as individuals and as a nation. Should a pandemic occur the public must be able to depend on its government to provide scientifically sound public health information quickly, openly and dependably. For additional information on pandemic influenza visit: www.pandemicflu.gov

Avian Influenza ("Bird Flu")

What is Avian Influenza ("Bird flu")?

Avian influenza or bird flu is an infection caused by bird flu viruses. The current strain of avian flu that is occurring in Southeast Asia is called H5N1. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds and they carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys very sick and kill them.
Click here to view additional key facts on bird flu by the CDC
Click here for the World Health Organization's (WHO) Frequently Asked Questions on Avian Influenza

Why should we be concerned about a virus that infects birds?

The avian flu strain causing the outbreak in mainly Asian birds can spread from birds to people and cause serious illness and even death. There is a chance that the virus could mutate to a new flu virus that spreads easily from person to person. Because infections to new human flu strains can't be prevented by the annual flu vaccine, no one will be immune to the virus and making a safe vaccine that can prevent infection with a new human virus can take months to manufacture.

How is the disease spread?

Birds act as hosts to influenza viruses by carrying the virus in their intestines and shedding it in bodily fluids, such as saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Other birds become infected when they come in contact with these fluids. Humans can become infected through contact with infected poultry or these contaminated fluids.

What are the symptoms of avian influenza in people?

Symptoms of avian influenza in humans range from typical influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia and other severe and life-threatening complications.

How is avian influenza in humans treated?

Health care providers will tell patients how to treat their illness, depending on the severity of their symptoms. Treatment may include hospitalization, supportive care and/or the use of antivirals. One antiviral drug called Tamiflu (oseltamivir) has been shown in studies to possibly protect against the HSNl strain of influenza.

Is it safe to eat chicken or turkey?

Yes, it is safe to eat poultry that has been fully cooked. General precautions should always be taken when handling any raw meat, including raw eggs, to avoid possibly spreading germs. These measures include:

• Washing hands and surfaces before and after food preparation
• Avoiding using the same utensils on raw meat as on other foods, even cooked meat
• Cooking raw meat thoroughly

The U.S. bans imports of poultry from areas inflicted with bird flu.
If traveling to Southeast Asia or to countries that have reported positive cases of avian influenza, visit the CDC Travelers' Health Web site for important information before traveling.

Protect Yourself

Health officials recommend people continue to take the same precautions to protect themselves against avian flu as they would from colds and other flu.

Precautions include:

• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.
• Frequently washing your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
• Staying home if you have a cough or fever.
• Seeing your health care provider as soon as possible if you have a cough or fever and following their instructions as prescribed to get plenty of rest.

Getting Ready for Pandemic Influenza

When preparing for a possible emergency situation such as pandemic influenza, (t's best to think first about the basics of survival, including fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. Because it may be necessary to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus, you may have to remain in your home for several days. The checklist below contains certain items that may be especially important if you cannot leave your home and people cannot enter.

• Food and water - Be sure to have several days to a week's supply of canned/dried food and water on hand and a can opener. Grocery stores may not have adequate supplies or staff available to remain open. Don't forget baby formula and diapers. Basic utilities such as electricity or water may experience disruptions.
• Medications, First Aid Kit and equipment - If you must take medications on a regular basis, be sure to have an adequate supply to last the duration of your stay.
• Blankets - Ensure that you have plenty of warm blankets on hand in case of electricity disruptions.
• Phone - If there are disruptions to power, you will require a telephone (standard wired phone) that does not run on power from an electrical outlet. Cell phones may operate when the power is out, but wireless phones will not.
• Battery powered radio with extra batteries.
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Items for personal comfort - Items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, facial and bathroom tissue should be on hand to make your time at home more comfortable. Be sure to include items for children such as coloring books, games and activities.
• Face and nose protection - Face masks should be available for each member of the family to prevent the spread of disease. Dense-weave cotton material that snugly covers your nose and mouth and is specifically fit for each member of the family. Do whatever you can to make the best fit possible for children. There are also a variety of face masks readily available in hardware stores.
• Large trash bags and ties - Large trash bags should be kept on hand to store garbage safely because garbage service may be disrupted or postponed for many days.
• Pets - Ensure you have plenty of food, water or litter available for your pets.
• Emergency Plan - Take the time to prepare a family emergency plan. Record medical histories, social security numbers and contact information on the Kentucky Community Information Pocket Guide. Ensure your children and family members know who to contact in an emergency. Don't forget to check in on your neighbors and the elderly in your community.

Resources and Helpful Links

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
www.cdc.gov

World Health Organization
www.who.int
 
Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services
http://chfs.kv.gov

US Department for Health & Human Services
National Vaccine Program
www.hhs.gov/nvpo/pandemics/

Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
www.pandemicflu.gov

University at Albany Center for Public
Health Preparedness Pandemic
Preparedness On-line Course
www.ualbanycphp.org/learning/

University of North Carolina
Center for Public Health
Preparedness
www.sph.unc.edu/nccphp/

How Does Seasonal Flu Differ From Pandemic Flu

For additional information visit: www.pandemicflu.gov