Pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears in humans, causes serious illness and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Three major influenza pandemics swept the globe in the 20th century causing millions of deaths, and no one knows for sure when the next pandemic may strike. Efforts are underway to plan for the complex issues and serious impact that a new influenza pandemic could cause in the Commonwealth. To find out more, check out the resources on this page.
If a new and severe strain of flu were to begin spreading across the globe, Virginia would not be spared from its impact. The severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted, but modeling studies suggest that its effect in the United States could be severe. In the absence of any control measures (vaccination or drugs), it has been estimated that in the United States a "medium-level" pandemic could cause:
In Virginia, pandemic flu impact estimates include:
Pandemic Flu: On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway. The pandemic level means that the H1N1 virus has reached more parts of the world and indicates how easily the virus spreads from person to person. It is not an indicator of severity of the virus, which remains mild in Virginia.
Avian Flu: Bird flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds.
Seasonal Flu: The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
What’s the Difference between Seasonal Flu and Pandemic Flu?
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