What is Pandemic Flu?

Pandemic influenza virus is a global or worldwide virus. It is a much more serious flu virus than we see in a typical flu season. Pandemic flu might come as avian flu or bird flu or as a flu not known about yet.

Influenza viruses cause infections of the respiratory tract (breathing tubes and lungs). In some persons, complications can be severe. These could include pneumonia and even death.

How is pandemic flu different from regular flu?

A pandemic flu is a new flu virus. Humans will have little or no resistance to a new kind of flu.

There is a vaccine for regular flu prepared each flu season. However there is no vaccine available for a pandemic flu. It takes at least six months to develop flu vaccines.

Why is pandemic flu so serious?

Since most people will not have immunity or natural resistance to pandemic flu, large numbers of people around the world can become infected. Once the flu develops, it can spread quickly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that as much as 15 to 35 % of the United States population could be affected.

That means that one in every three people in Nashville may be at risk for developing pandemic flu. A large number of those infected will require some form of medical care.

Can pandemic flu be prevented?

Metro Public Health Department is working with federal, state and other local government agencies to respond to pandemic flu. It will be important to maintain essential health care and community services if an outbreak occurs.

A person infected with the flu virus can be contagious for 24 hours before the start of symptoms and for seven days afterwards. This long contagion period makes it easy for the virus to spread to large numbers of people.

The federal government is stockpiling medical supplies and antiviral drugs to treat such a flu. However, no country or community in the world currently has enough antiviral drugs to protect its citizens. Antiviral drugs may have to be rationed in the event of an outbreak.

Attempts to slow the spread of a severe influenza outbreak could include temporarily closing schools, sports events, theaters, restaurants and other public gathering places.

Large numbers of workers may not be able to get to their jobs. They may be sick with the flu or afraid of getting it from other people. These are examples of challenges Nashville will have to work on together to handle a pandemic flu response.

How is pandemic flu spread?

Pandemic flu would be spread from person to person through respiratory liquids from the nose or mouth. These respiratory liquids are virus containing droplets (such as spit or mucous). They are created when a person who has the flu coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on the nose, mouth and throat of persons who are near. The virus may also spread by touching the droplets on other surfaces or objects.

What is the best way to protect myself from pandemic flu?

Begin now to practice simple but important habits that reduce the spread of germs and viruses:

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Department of Health and Human Services