PANDEMIC INFLUENZA: COMMON QUESTIONS
A flu pandemic is a global outbreak that occurs when a new Influenza A virus causes serious human illness and spreads easily from person to person. The new virus will be unlike any influenza virus seen before. Very few people will have natural immunity (protection) against a new pandemic influenza virus because they would not have had a prior exposure.
Influenza viruses cause infections of the respiratory tract (breathing tubes and lungs). In some persons, the complications of influenza can be severe, including pneumonia and death.
How are pandemic, avian, and seasonal influenza different?
Pandemic Flu: Currently there is no pandemic flu. The last flu pandemic was the “Hong Kong Flu” which occurred in 1968-69 and caused 34,000 deaths in the United States. Pandemic Influenza could create serious illnesses in 30% or more of the population. This could cause social and economic disruption. Pandemic Influenza Planning has begun on Federal/State/Local levels to plan for issues surrounding widespread illness.
Avian Flu: Bird flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds. Normally, these strains do not affect humans. However, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) has infected people in Asia. The people affected by the H5N1 Avian Influenza had close contact with infected birds. This type of avian influenza has not been found in North America. Other strains of avian influenza, which do not infect humans, have been found in North America, including Texas. These avian influenza strains do not pose a threat to humans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior conduct surveillance on domesticated flocks as well as migratory birds in order to detect any strain of avian influenza including H5N1.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been conducting surveillance on H5N1 Avian Influenza since 1997 because it has the potential to develop into a pandemic. Currently H5N1 Avian Influenza is not easily transmitted from person to person
Seasonal Flu: The “flu” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The “Flu Season” in the U.S. typically runs from October to May and is currently a greater threat in the U.S. than H5N1 Avian Influenza.
How big is the difference between a pandemic and the regular flu season?
A pandemic flu could be a much more serious flu virus than seen in a typical flu season. Different from the typical strains of flu, humans would have no or little natural resistance to a new strain of influenza. As a result, pandemic flu is likely to be more severe, affect more people, and cause more deaths than seasonal influenza.
Also, there is a vaccine for seasonal flu, which is prepared each season against new variations of the seasonal influenza. There is no vaccine available at this time for a pandemic flu, and it is expected to take at least six months after a pandemic flu appears to develop a vaccine.
New human influenza viruses arise from bird or swine influenza viruses that change and become easily passed from person to person. The current bird flu outbreak in Asia is caused by a virus called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1. The H5N1 outbreak among domestic chickens and ducks in Asia, Europe, and Africa is widespread and uncontrolled. Human infections and deaths due to the avian H5N1 virus have occurred. Most of these cases involved direct or close contact with infected birds or surfaces possibly contaminated from feces of infected birds. However, at this time, the virus has not developed the ability to pass easily from person to person and cause outbreaks in humans.
How is pandemic influenza spread?
Pandemic influenza would be spread from person to person primarily through “respiratory secretions,” the same way seasonal influenza viruses and other common respiratory infections spread. Respiratory secretions are virus-containing droplets (such as spit or mucous) that are spread when infected persons cough or sneeze. These droplets can then land on the surfaces of the mouth, nose, and throat of persons who are near (i.e., within 3 feet) the ill person. The virus may also be spread through contact with the infectious respiratory secretions on the hands of an infected person and other objects and surfaces. Adults can spread influenza virus one day before symptoms appear and up to five days after the onset of illness.
Will the regular (seasonal) flu shot provide any protection against the pandemic influenza virus?
Probably not. The regular flu shot will protect you against the influenza viruses that circulate every year. The influenza strain that causes the pandemic will be new and will not be included in the strains that the vaccine protects against. It can take up to 6 months once a new strain is identified for a vaccine to be developed for it.
Everyone should get a flu shot every year. The circulating flu strains change every year so a flu shot is needed annually. It is important to be immunized against the seasonal flu in the event of a pandemic. Both types of influenza can circulate at the same time. This will protect people from being infected with both the seasonal flu and the pandemic flu at the same time.
What can the public do to reduce their risk of pandemic influenza?
Stay informed.
Stop the spread of germs:
· Get a flu shot every year to protect yourself from seasonal influenza.
· Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
· Do not touch your mouth, nose, or eyes without washing your hands first.
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve.
· Do not share contaminated items such as cigarettes, lipstick, beverages, utensils, etc.
· Stay home when you are sick.
· Drink plenty of fluids.
· Get adequate rest.
Have a personal emergency preparedness that can be used during pandemic influenza or any other emergency:
· Stockpile 3 days or more of non-perishable food and water (3 gallons for each person in your household.
· Develop a family contact plan (how to get in touch via phone, internet, or other method).
· Make copies of important documents that can be easily accessed during an emergency (identification, medication information, insurance documents).
· Make sure everyone in your household understands the plan.
Where I can get more information?
The most accurate information can be found on websites for WHO and CDC. The National Wildlife Health Center is also a resource on avian influenza from an animal health perspective.
www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza
For information on a personal emergency preparedness plan: