PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
Public Health Preparedness Program
What is Pandemic Influenza?
An influenza pandemic can occur when a non-human (novel) influenza virus gains the ability
for efficient and sustained human-to-human transmission and then spreads globally.
Influenza viruses that have the potential to cause a pandemic are referred to as ‘influenza
viruses with pandemic potential.’ Examples of influenza viruses with pandemic potential
include avian influenza A (H5N1) and avian influenza (H7N9), which are two different “bird
flu” viruses. These are non-human viruses (i.e., they are novel among humans and circulate
in birds in parts of the world) so there is little to no immunity against these viruses among
humans.
Why are we Concerned About Pandemic Flu?
Pandemic influenza is caused by a new virus, and vaccine to prevent the associated flu is
not available. Therefore, more people are prone to falling ill. In addition, a pandemic virus
strain can spread rapidly from person to person and, if severe, can cause high levels of
disease and death around the world. For example, the most famous flu pandemic was the
Great Pandemic of 1918. In a matter of weeks, influenza swept across the entire country.
Approximately 675,000 people in the United States died, with high mortality rates among
healthy adults 20 to 50 years of age.
Transmission: How does Someone Become Infected with the Flu?
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu
cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are
nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu
virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
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who have the flu often feel some or all of the following signs and symptoms:
Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (very tired)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in
children than adults
How Soon do Infected People get Sick?
The incubation period for the flu can vary from one to four days, but symptoms normally
appear two days after exposure to the virus.
How is Influenza Treated?
Flu symptoms can be eased with over-the-counter and prescription medications to help you
feel better faster. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antiviral medications, such as
Tamiflu, to help you feel better while dealing with the illness. If your flu has progressed to
a bacterial infection, your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics.
Can Influenza be Prevented?
Influenza vaccines are administered annually to prevent the flu. However, influenza virus
strains continuously evolve. Annual flu vaccines are designed to protect against specific,
known influenza viruses in circulation among humans around the world.
An influenza pandemic occurs when a new virus emerges. A vaccine cannot be produced for
this new virus until the virus has been identified. Developing, testing and producing a new
vaccine can take up to six months.
Would Enough Vaccine be Available in the Event of a Pandemic?
Enough vaccine would be available once a vaccine was developed, tested and produced.
This process could take six months, and then vaccine would be distributed to local health
authorities for mass vaccination.
What is the Washoe County Health District Doing to Prepare for a Pandemic Outbreak?
In the event of pandemic influenza, the Washoe County Health District will announce
detailed instructions on how to obtain vaccine through a point of dispensing (POD) site. This
information will be available through the media, news, and on this website.
Source: www.cdc.gov