What You Need to Know

An influenza (flu) pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of flu disease that occurs when a
new type of influenza virus appears that people have not been exposed to before (or
have not been exposed to in a long time). The pandemic virus can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks of influenza that we see every year. Seasonal influenza is caused by influenza virus types to which people have already been exposed. Its impact on society is less severe than a pandemic, and influenza vaccines (flu shots and nasal-spray vaccine) are available to help prevent widespread illness from seasonal flu.

Influenza pandemics are different from many of the other major public health and
health care threats facing our country and the world. A pandemic will last much longer
than most flu outbreaks and may include “waves” of influenza activity that last 6-8
weeks separated by months. The number of health care workers and first responders
able to work may be reduced. Public health officials will not know how severe a
pandemic will be until it begins.

A Historical Perspective

In the last century there were three influenza pandemics. All of them were called pandemics because of their worldwide spread and because they were caused by a new influenza virus. The 1918 pandemic was especially severe.

1918-1919 -
Most severe, caused at least 675,000 U.S. deaths and up tp 50 million deaths worldwide.

1957-1958 -
Moderately severe, caused at least 70,000 U.S. deaths and 1-2 million deaths worldwide.

1968-1969 -
Least severe, caused at least 34,000 U.S. deaths and 700,000 deaths worldwide.

Some Differences Between Seasonal Flu and Pandemic Flu

Seasonal Flu:

- Caused by influenza viruses that are similar to those already circulating among people.

- Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle pain. Deaths can be caused by complications such as pneumonia.

- Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications (the very young, the elderly, and those with certain underlying health conditions at increased risk for serious complications).

- Every year in the United State, on average:
• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and
• About 36,000 people die from flu.

Pandemic Flu:

- Caused by a new influenza virus that people have not been exposed to before.

- Likely to be more severe, affect more people, and cause more deaths than seasonal influenza because people will not have immunity to the new virus.

- Symptoms similar to the common flu but may be more severe and complications more serious.

- Healthy adults may be at increased risk for serious complications.

- The effects of a severe pandemic could be much more damaging than those of a regular flu season. It could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life could be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such a public transportation and food delivery.

Stay Healthy:

These steps may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze—throw the
  tissue away immediately after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcoholbased (60-95%) hand cleaner.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• If you get the flu, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. In this way
  you will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.

Vaccination:

Vaccines are used to protect people from contracting a virus once a particular threat is identified. After an individual has been infected by a virus, a vaccine generally cannot help to combat it. Because viruses change over time, a specific pandemic influenza vaccine cannot be produced until a pandemic influenza virus emerges and is identified.

Once a pandemic influenza virus has been identified, it will likely take 4-6 months to
develop, test, and begin producing a vaccine.The supply of pandemic vaccine will be limited, particularly in the early stages of a pandemic. Efforts are being made to increase vaccine-manufacturing capacity in the United States so that supplies of vaccines would be more readily available. In addition, research is underway to develop new ways to produce vaccines more quickly.

Antivirals

A number of antiviral drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat and prevent seasonal influenza. Some of these antiviral medications may be effective in treating pandemic influenza. These drugs may help prevent infection in people at risk and shorten the duration of symptoms in those infected with pandemic influenza. However, it is unlikely that antiviral medications alone would effectively contain the spread of pandemic influenza. The federal government is stockpiling antiviral medications that would most likely be used in the early stages of an influenza pandemic and working to develop new antiviral medications. These drugs are available by prescription only.

Stay Informed:

• Knowing the facts is the best preparation. Identify sources you can count on for reliable information. If a pandemic occurs, having accurate and reliable information will be critical.
• Reliable, accurate, and timely information is available at www.pandemicflu.gov.
• Another source for information on pandemic influenza is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Look for information on your local and state government Web sites. Links are available to each state department of public health at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab2.html#stateinfo.
• Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television, and read your newspaper and other sources of printed and web-based information.
• Talk to your local health care providers and public health officials.

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Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist

1. To plan for a pandemic:

• Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get
  to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra
  supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power
  outages and disasters.
• Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home. Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
• Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
• Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
• Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

2. To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:

• Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the
  correct behavior.
• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.
• Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick.
• Stay home from work and school if sick.

3. Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:

Examples of food and non-perishables:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups
Protein or fruit bars
Dry cereal or granola
Peanut butter or nuts
Dried Fruit
Crackers
Canned juices
Bottled water
Canned or jarred baby food and
formula
Pet food
Other nonperishable foods

Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies:

Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
Soap and water, or alcohol-based (60-95%) hand wash
Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Thermometer
Anti-diarreal medication
Vitamins
Fluids with electrolytes
Cleansing agent/soap
Flashlight
Batteries
Portable radio
Manual can opener
Garbage bags
Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers