TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

1. Pandemic influenza is different from avian influenza
Avian influenza, much in the news recently, refers to a large group of different influenza viruses that primarily affect birds. Most avian viruses do not infect humans. However, H5N1 is a strain with pandemic potential, since it might ultimately adapt into a strain that is contagious in humans. Once this adaptation occurs, it will no longer be a bird virus.
It will be a human influenza virus. Influenza pandemics are caused by new influenza viruses that have adapted to humans.

2. Influenza pandemics are recurring events
1918 Spanish flu killed 40-50 million people worldwide.
1957 Asian flu killed 2 million.
1968 Hong Kong flu killed 1 million.

3. The world may be on the brink of another pandemic
The H5N1 strain first infected humans in Hong Kong in 1997. (18 cases, 6 deaths) In December 2003 infections in people exposed to sick birds were identified. Should H5N1 evolve to a form as contagious as normal influenza, a pandemic could occur.

4. All countries will be affected
Once a fully contagious virus emerges, its global spread is considered inevitable, possibly reaching all continents in less than 3 months.

5. Widespread illness will occur
Most people will have no immunity to the pandemic virus, infection and illness rates are expected to be higher than normal. Few countries have staff, facilities or equipment and hospital beds to cope.

6. Medical supplies may be in short supply
Vaccines, antiviral agents and antibiotics to treat secondary infections will be in short supply and will be unequally distributed. It will take several months before any vaccine becomes available.¹

7. Large numbers of deaths will occur
Accurate predictions of mortality cannot be made, but from 2 to 7.4 million deaths worldwide is predicted. Death rates are determined by factors such as the number of people who become infected, the virulence of the virus, the underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations and the effectiveness of preventative measures.

8. Economic and social disruption will be great
High rates of illness and worker absenteeism are expected and these will contribute to social and economic disruption.

9. Every country must be prepared
WHO have issued guidelines for responding to the threat.

10. WHO will alert the world when the pandemic threat increases
WHO are working closely with the ministries of health worldwide.

Adapted from: WHO October 2005

References :
¹ WHO “Pandemic Preparedness”- http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/#conseq].

Useful links to find further information about pandemic planning:

World Health Organisation - information on pandemic flu www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/en/

WHO and European Centre for Disease Control
www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/nationalpandemic/en/

UK Department of Health
www.dh.gov.uk/en/PandemicFlu/index.htm