Pandemic Influenza

What is influenza?

Influenza is a serious infection of the lungs and airways caused by the influenza virus. It spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with unwashed hands. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches.
Every year, various strains of influenza virus circulate throughout the world. The influenza virus changes often. Most people who have had influenza or flu shots will have some protection each year against the changed virus.

A pandemic is not flu as usual

• pandemic influenza spreads rapidly worldwide
• more people catch it
• the illness is more severe - even in healthy children and young adults
• more people die

Influenza pandemics are inevitable

• there were three in the twentieth century
• the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 killed 50 million people worldwide• smaller pandemics occurred in 1957 and 1968

What is pandemic influenza?

Pandemics are caused by Type A influenza virus. A pandemic occurs when a new type A flu virus emerges among humans and spreads easily from person to person. Because the virus is new to humans, everyone is at risk of infection and influenza quickly spreads worldwide, causing serious illness and death for millions of people. Standard vaccines do not offer protection.

Type A influenza virus also infects birds and some animals. One new strain of bird flu (or avian influenza) has caused great concern among scientists worldwide. This new strain, called the H5N1 virus, has spread among wild birds, such as ducks and geese, and is now also spreading in domestic poultry in Asia, Europe and Africa. There have been cases of serious illness and deaths in humans.

So far, the spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been very rare. However, there is concern that the H5N1 viruses or some other strain of bird flu will change enough to spread easily from one person to another. This could start the next flu pandemic.
Experts predict that the world may be on the verge of a large pandemic, possibly within 5 to 10 years.

In an influenza pandemic

• people will be afraid
• health systems may be overwhelmed
• employee absences may make it difficult at times for businesses to operate • public services such as schools may be interrupted

What will happen in a pandemic?

People of all ages will be at risk and widespread illness will occur. It is predicted that 35% of the population may be affected and that the pandemic will last many months or years. Severe effects can be expected across Canada and Manitoba.

Can a pandemic be prevented?

With current scientific knowledge, there is no way to stop a pandemic from happening. Vaccine and antiviral drugs could help lessen the effects but supplies may be inadequate in all countries for some time after the pandemic begins. Knowing how to protect ourselves against influenza is vital.

What can we do to avoid influenza and reduce the spread?

Wash our hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer.

Cover our nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and stay at least one metre away from other people.

Stay home when we are sick.

Make the simple steps to protect yourself and your family part of daily routine – before the pandemic comes. Hand washing is the most important defence.

What is the regional health authority in South Eastman doing to prepare for pandemic influenza?

Your regional health authority is making plans to protect critical health services. This work is happening in partnership with local municipalities, the Province of Manitoba, and local organizations, agencies, and individuals. The common goal is to protect and prepare residents, to minimize serious illness and death, and to ease the social and economic disruption that will occur as a result of an influenza pandemic.

Stay informed about pandemic influenza.

Related information:

Government of Manitoba - Planning for Pandemic Influenza

http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cmoh/pandemic.html

Government of Canda - One-stop access to information on Pandemic Influenza

http://www.influenza.gc.ca/

Source:

South Eastman Health