What is a Pandemic?
A pandemic is a world wide outbreak of a disease.
What is Pandemic Flu?
A flu pandemic occurs when a new flu (Influenza A) virus appears for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily from person-to-person by coughing and sneezing and causes serious illness. The virus can sweep across the country and around the world in a very short time leaving very little time to prepare. Past flu pandemics have spread globally and have occurred in two and sometimes three waves.
How is this different from Seasonal flu?
Seasonal flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person-to-person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine and antivirals (medicines that can help lessen the effects of the flu) are available. Seasonal flu usually occurs in the winter months.
Who is at risk?
Anyone exposed to a new flu virus may become sick.
How can pandemic flu affect me?
We don’t know when the next flu pandemic may occur; however, it would impact all levels of the community. Schools and business may need to close or restrict their hours of operation. Activities such as sporting events, community activities and worship services may be cancelled. Travel restrictions or bans may be placed; individuals may be quarantined or isolated. These measures would cause a disruption in normal day-to-day activities.
Services provided by banks, stores, restaurants, government offices, and post offices may be altered. Work sites may experience higher absenteeism as employees become sick and need to care for sick family members. Community services such as electricity, television, and radio may be temporarily disrupted.
Hospitals and health care systems would be overloaded. Infection and illness rates would rise as a large number of people need some form of medical care. The highest areas hit would experience a shortage in medical supplies and hospital beds. Antiviral drugs may be ineffective or available in a limited quantity as the need is likely to go beyond the supply. Difficult decisions would need to be made regarding who gets antiviral drugs and vaccines.
What is being done in my area?
Although we don’t know when and in what form a pandemic may occur, the Thomas Jefferson Health District is working with the community to develop plans for a potential pandemic flu outbreak. A district-wide Pandemic Flu Work Group has been created to address a variety of issues including communication with the public, continuity of government and services, preparation for potentially overwhelmed medical facilities, and prioritization of the distribution of a very limited supply of vaccine or anti-viral medications.
What can you do to prepare?
Pandemics can come and go in waves, each of which can last for six to eight weeks. You should know what can happen during a flu pandemic and what actions you can take to help lessen the effects on you and your family.
- Practice good health habits. Eat a variety of foods, exercise daily, and get plenty of rest.
- If you do get sick, follow these simple steps to limit the spread of germs.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water. Teach your children to do the same.
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissues when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands after you throw away tissues.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Learn about pandemic flu and be ready to act.
- Listen to radio and television and read the newspaper for pandemic flu updates.
- If you have access to the internet, review the material at www.pandemicflu.gov for regular updates.
- Consider how you can help others in your neighborhood or community with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available.
- Plan Ahead! Use the Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families to help you gather items that can be used during a pandemic flu or any emergency. These include:
- Foods that won’t spoil easily
- Bottled water (three gallons per person per day)
- An extra supply of your regular prescription drugs over-the-counter drugs and other health supplies
- Household goods such as toilet paper, soap and garbage bags
- Plan for the possibility that your day-to-day activities may be disrupted. This could include services provided by doctors, hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices, and post offices.
It is difficult to predict when the next pandemic flu will occur or how severe it will be. Planning ahead will help you prepare for this and other types of emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
To review frequently asked questions visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/PandemicFlu/faqs.asp
Related Links
Virginia Department of Health
www.vdh.virginia.gov/PandemicFlu/Official U.S. government Pandemic Influenza Web site
www.pandemicflu.govCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pandemic Flu
www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemicCDC travel advisories for travelers to the Middle East, Europe, Asia or
other areas affected by Avian Flu
www.cdc.gov/travelCDC seasonal flu information
www.cdc.gov/flu/