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Pandemic Influenza |
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What is pandemic influenza?
Pandemic influenza is any flu caused by a new strain of flu virus for which there is little or no immunity in the population. Pandemic influenza spreads easily from person to person causing outbreaks in one or more countries or worldwide.
How is pandemic influenza different from influenza?
The symptoms of influenza are not different during a pandemic but more people are at risk of getting sick. The pandemic strain has the potential to cause serious illness as most people will have little or no immunity to this new strain.
Who will be at risk during a flu pandemic?
Everyone is potentially at risk of becoming ill during an influenza pandemic. However, certain groups may be at greater risk than others. It will not be known which groups are at greater risk until the pandemic virus appears.
How often do flu pandemics occur?
Historically, flu pandemics occur three times each century. There were three flu pandemics in the last century (1918, 1957, 1968) and one this century (2009).
When will the next pandemic happen?
No one knows when the next pandemic will happen or how severe it will be.
Can a pandemic be prevented at an early stage?
The flu is highly contagious and because most people will be susceptible to the new virus, it is not possible to prevent the spread of a pandemic.
Will there be a vaccine for pandemic flu?
It is estimated it will take approximately four to six months to produce a vaccine against the new influenza strain. At the beginning, there may not be enough vaccine for everyone. The federal government will determine the order in which people will receive the vaccine. When enough vaccine becomes available, Toronto Public Health (TPH) will organize mass vaccination clinics for the general public. TPH will make public announcements about the time and location of these clinics.
Why is a vaccine not being produced for the pandemic flu now?
A pandemic influenza vaccine cannot be produced until the new strain has been identified.
What are flu antiviral drugs?
Flu antiviral drugs are prescription drugs that decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce. They are used to prevent or treat the flu. To prevent the flu, people need to take the medication for as long as they come in contact with the virus. When given to sick people, the antiviral drugs can reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the time they are ill. Flu antiviral drugs work best when started within two days after becoming sick.
Which antiviral drug is the government stockpiling?
The Canadian government is stockpiling oseltamivir (TamifluŽ) and zanamivir (RelenzaŽ). Oseltamivir is a pill. Zanamivir is a powder which is inhaled and is usually prescribed for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
How long will the pandemic last?
Based on the last four pandemics, experts estimate that the next pandemic will arrive in Canada within three months of appearing in another part of the world. However, it may arrive much sooner because of global air travel. Pandemics usually come in two or more waves. The peak of the first wave generally happens within two to four months of the virus arriving in Canada. The second wave may occur within three to nine months of the first wave. Each wave usually lasts six to eight weeks.
How will we know if a pandemic has started?
The World Health Organization (WHO) and certain countries monitor and detect influenza activity around the world, including the appearance of potential pandemic strains. The WHO will declare the beginning of a pandemic. The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will declare the beginning of the pandemic period in Canada and Ontario, respectively.
How will we know the pandemic flu has reached Canada/Ontario/Toronto?
Canada has a system to monitor influenza activity across the country. This information will help identify pandemic influenza as early as possible.
How will the pandemic flu spread to Canada?
Most likely it will spread when a person who has been infected travels to Canada.
Will people be prevented from traveling?
If a pandemic starts outside of Canada, people are likely to be advised not to travel to affected areas or attend international gatherings such as large conferences and sporting events. Depending on how the pandemic develops, it may be necessary to reduce the movement of people within Canada to delay spread of the disease.
Last updated June 2011
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