What is pandemic influenza?
Pandemic influenza is human flu that causes a global outbreak, or what is called a pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu in the world.
Is a pandemic going to happen soon?
Many scientists believe it is a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic occurs. However, the timing and severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted. Influenza pandemics occurred three times in the past century — in 1918-19, 1957-58, and 1968-69.
How would pandemic flu affect communities and businesses?
If an influenza pandemic occurs, many people could become sick at the same time and would be unable to go to work. Many would stay at home to care for sick family members. Schools and businesses might close to try to prevent disease spread. Large group gatherings such as concerts and worship services might be canceled. Public transportation might be scarce. These are examples of challenges that local communities, schools, civic and religious organizations, and businesses will have to work together on to plan for a pandemic response.
How many people would die in a pandemic?
The consequences of an influenza pandemic are difficult to predict. Pandemics occurred three times in the past century. The most recent (1968) was the mildest and killed about 34,000 people in the United States. The most severe influenza pandemic in the past century occurred in 1918 and killed about 500,000 Americans and up to 40 million people worldwide.
Why is there concern about the H5N1 avian influenza, or “bird flu,” outbreak in Asia and other countries?
Although it is unpredictable when the next pandemic will occur and what strain may cause it, the continued and expanded spread of a highly dangerous avian H5N1 virus across eastern Asia and other countries represents a significant threat.
Avian H5N1 influenza infection in humans was first recognized in 1997 when this virus infected 18 people in Hong Kong, causing 6 deaths. Concern has increased in recent years as avian H5N1 infections have killed large numbers of poultry flocks and other birds in Asia and Europe. Since 2003, more than 100 human H5N1 cases have been reported in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam, and more than half of the victims have died.
The H5N1 virus has raised concerns about a potential human pandemic because:
* The H5N1 virus is widespread in poultry in many countries in Asia and has spread to Europe;
* The virus has been transmitted from birds to mammals, and in some limited circumstances, to humans;
* Wild birds and domestic ducks have been infected without showing symptoms and become carriers of viral infection to other domestic poultry species;
* There a few cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported; and
* Genetic studies confirm that H5N1 influenza viruses, like other influenza viruses, are continuing to evolve.
Is influenza A (H5N1) virus the only avian influenza virus of concern regarding a pandemic?
Although H5N1 probably poses the greatest current pandemic threat, other avian influenza A subtypes also have infected people in recent years. For example, in 1999, H9N2 infections were identified in Hong Kong; in 2002; and 2003, H7N7 infections occurred in the Netherlands and H7N3 infections occurred in Canada. These viruses also have the potential to give rise to the next pandemic.
Will H5N1 cause the next influenza pandemic?
Scientists cannot predict whether an avian influenza (H5N1) virus will cause a pandemic. That is why we are focusing on comprehensive public health efforts — increasing surveillance monitoring for outbreaks, international cooperation, antiviral and vaccine stockpiles, and building a bigger capacity for vaccine production — that will help protect us no matter what pandemic strain emerges or where.
Why won't the annual flu vaccine protect people against pandemic influenza?
Influenza vaccines are designed to protect against a specific virus, so a pandemic vaccine cannot be produced until a new pandemic influenza virus emerges and is identified. Even after a pandemic influenza virus has been identified, it could take at least six months to develop, test and produce vaccine.
How much time does it take to develop and produce an influenza vaccine?
The influenza vaccine production process is long and complicated. Traditional influenza vaccine production for the U.S. relies on long-standing technology based on chicken eggs. This production technology is labor-intensive and takes nine months from start to finish.
The flu vaccine production process is further complicated by the fact that influenza virus strains continually evolve. Thus, seasonal flu vaccines must be modified each year to match the strains of the virus that are known to be in circulation among humans around the world. As a result of this constant viral evolution, seasonal influenza vaccines cannot be stockpiled year to year. The appearance of an influenza pandemic virus would likely be unaffected by currently available flu vaccines. Researchers are making and testing possible H5N1 vaccines now. Large amounts of vaccine cannot be made before knowing exactly which virus will cause the pandemic. It could then take up to six months before a vaccine is available and only in limited amounts at first. Research is underway to make vaccines more quickly.
How will vaccine be distributed if a pandemic breaks out?
The State of Maine is working with the federal government to partner with manufacturers and distributors. Maine is developing and improving plans to distribute a vaccine rapidly. These plans build on experience gained from other emergencies. In addition, influenza vaccine makers already have systems in place to distribute vaccine. Tens of millions of doses of seasonal influenza vaccine are shipped every year, and during past shortages, vaccine makers have responded to urgent situations. Fairness in vaccine distribution and use during a pandemic is important. Protecting people at high risk and protecting essential day-to-day services are also important considerations.
What age groups are most likely to be affected during an influenza pandemic?
Although scientists cannot predict the specific consequences of an influenza pandemic, it is likely that many age groups would be seriously affected. Factors to consider include the following:
* Few if any people would have immunity to the virus;
* The virus could spread rapidly;
* An influenza pandemic could temporarily disrupt activities important to overall public health, the economy, and essential community services.
What is the government doing now to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak?
Federal, State, and local health agencies are making plans to prepare for, respond to, and contain an outbreak of pandemic flu. HHS activities to prepare for a pandemic flu include:
* Supporting federal, state, and local health agencies' efforts to prepare for and respond to a pandemic flu outbreak;
* Working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other nations to help detect and contain outbreaks;
* Developing a national stockpile of antiviral drugs to help treat and control the spread of disease;
* Supporting the manufacture and testing of possible vaccines, including finding more reliable and quicker ways to make large quantities of vaccines; and
* Working with other federal agencies to prepare and to encourage communities, businesses, and organizations to plan for a pandemic influenza outbreak.
What is Maine doing to prepare for a pandemic?
Pandemic preparedness has been a priority of the State of Maine for years. Federal public health emergency preparedness funds that were distributed to states after September 2001 increased Maine’s ability to prepare for a pandemic. As a result, our early detection, communication, and response systems have greatly improved. Maine’s statewide Pandemic Influenza Response Plan was revised earlier this year.
Currently, agencies such as the Maine CDC, Department of Agriculture, Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Maine Emergency Medical Services (Maine EMS) are working to increase active surveillance of avian flu, expand the state’s pandemic response plan, and facilitate local preparedness efforts.
What other strategies will help protect Americans?
In the event of a pandemic, certain public health measures may be important to help contain or limit the spread of infection as effectively as possible. The following actions could include:
* Treating sick and exposed people with antivirals;
* Isolating sick people in hospitals, homes, or other facilities;
* Identifying and quarantining exposed people;
* Closing schools, malls, and workplaces as needed;
* Canceling public events; and
* Restricting travel.
How else can I protect myself and my family?
In addition, people should protect themselves by:
* Getting seasonal flu shots to stay healthy;
* Washing hands frequently with soap and water;
* Staying away from people who are sick; and
* Staying home if sick.
Please visit The Maine Emergency Management Agency’s Web site for tips on preparing your home and family for disasters.
Also, please visit our section for Families and Individuals
Additional information can also be found at www.pandemicflu.gov
