What's the difference between a pandemic and a seasonal outbreak of influenza?
Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsInfluenza pandemics are caused by the emergence of a virus that is "novel" (brand new) or radically different from flu viruses that circulated previously. Because people have no or little natural resistance to a new virus, and there is no readily-available vaccine, influenza pandemics often result in much more severe illness and death. Seasonal" influenza outbreaks are caused by small changes in the common influenza viruses.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza?
Pandemic Influenza - FAQSeasonal outbreaks (epidemics) are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that are already in existence among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes or by subtypes that have never circulated (spread) among people or that have not circulated among people for a long time. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between seasonal flu, bird flu and pandemic influenza?
Avian Flu Q/ASeasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available. Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. At this time the H5N1 virus cannot easily be transmitted from person to person. There is no human immunity to this virus and no vaccine is available.
Related QuestionsWhat's the difference between pandemic flu and seasonal flu?
NAVThe very young, the very old, and people with certain chronic illnesses are most at risk of serious illness Vaccine against seasonal flu will not protect against pandemic flu. However, getting your annual flu shot is one of several things you can do to keep yourself healthy, and that may help you fight off a pandemic flu virus.
Related QuestionsWhat is influenza pandemic?
Champlain College: Emergency Preparedness: Pandemic FluA pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness, and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.
Related QuestionsSanta Barbara County - Pandemic Flu Responseinfluenza pandemic is an outbreak of disease that occurs when there is a new flu virus that can spread from person-to-person. Because a pandemic virus is new, no one has immunity to it, so it spreads quickly around the world. There have been three influenza pandemics in this century - in 1918-19, 1957-58, and 1968-69.Related Questions
What is the difference between seasonal flu, avian flu and pandemic flu?
Pandemic Flu Frequently Asked Questions - Fairfax County, Vi...Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available. Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available. Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness.
Related QuestionsOnline Health TopicsSeasonal Flu is what we usually think of as "the flu." It is a respiratory illness caused by many different influenza (flu) viruses and can be spread easily from person-to-person. Seasonal flu typically occurs between November and April with symptoms including fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Avian Flu (or "Bird Flu") is a term used for a set of flu viruses that cause disease mainly in birds.Related Questions
What is the difference between ordinary influenza and pandemic influenza?
Frequently Asked Questions — Pandemic Influenza —...Ordinary influenza is the influenza that circulates most of the time and produces the outbreaks we see in Canada every winter. For most people this is an unpleasant though not life-threatening illness. The strains of virus causing this type of influenza change from year to year, but can be fairly reliably predicted so that an appropriate vaccine can be prepared each year.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between a pandemic and a seasonal outbreak of the flu?
Illinois Pandemic Flu PreparednessA pandemic is caused by a new influenza virus that most people have not been exposed to, so there is little or no pre-existing immunity. Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that are similar to previous years. Some people may have built up immunity and there also is a vaccine for each year’s flu season.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between seasonal, avian and pandemic flu?
Pandemic flu - frequently asked questions : Department of He...It is important to be clear about the differences between seasonal flu, avian flu and pandemic flu. Avian flu is a disease which mainly affects birds. Seasonal flu refers to the viruses that circulate in the human population and cause widespread illness each winter.
Related QuestionsWhat's the difference between a pandemic influenza outbreak and a bad influenza season?
Public Health Preparedness Program: Pandemic Flu Informationinfluenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears or “emerges” in the human population, causes serious illness and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Pandemics are caused by a new strain of influenza against which there is little or no natural resistance and no vaccine. Influenza viruses that have circulated previously cause normal annual influenza outbreaks. Many people have some immunity to circulating strains.
Related QuestionsWhy is pandemic influenza so serious?
Avian Flu Q/APandemic influenza can cause widespread illness and death. The influenza virus, in a pandemic situation, will infect many people in a short time. In a very severe pandemic, many people might die. The demand for healthcare services will increase during a pandemic influenza outbreak, and the number of healthcare workers available will decrease due to illness. Many essential services will be strained, and everyday life may be severely disrupted for a period of months.
Related QuestionsWill H5N1 cause the next influenza pandemic?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic InfluenzaScientists cannot predict whether an avian influenza (H5N1) virus will cause a pandemic. That is why we are focusing on comprehensive public health efforts — increasing surveillance monitoring for outbreaks, international cooperation, antiviral and vaccine stockpiles and building more robust capacity for vaccine production — that will help protect us no matter what pandemic strain emerges or where.
Related QuestionsWhat is pandemic influenza?
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Pandemic Influe...Pandemic influenza is a worldwide outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus to which people have little or no immunity appears in humans then spreads easily from person to person. The symptoms of such a virus would probably be similar to those of seasonal influenza, but the duration and/or severity of the symptoms might be different. The virus would spread the same way as a seasonal influenza virus.
Related QuestionsPandemic QuébecAvian influenza, also known as avian flu or chicken flu, is a contagious viral infection affecting all bird species (poultry, pet birds and wild birds). Since October 2003, avian influenza epizootics (animal epidemics) have been reported in chicken in Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, China, Laos and Indonesia. The virus strain in circulation is H5N1. To deal with these epidemic flare-ups, many countries are currently slaughtering millions of chickens.Related Questions
Is there a pandemic influenza vaccine?
Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. Federal officials have contracted with a manufacturer to produce a small supply of human vaccine against H5N1 bird flu, and clinical trials are underway. The vaccine might not be effective if the H5N1 virus changes to a strain that more easily infects humans.
Related QuestionsWhat effect would an influenza pandemic have on our communities?
Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsThe effects of a pandemic could be severe. Many people could become sick at the same time and be unable to go to work. Many of us might have to stay at home to care for sick family members. Schools and businesses might close for a time to try to reduce the spread of disease. Large group gatherings might be canceled. These are examples of challenges that are being considered as we plan for a pandemic response.
Related QuestionsWhen will a vaccine against pandemic influenza be available?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic Influenza and Avia...Currently there is no Avian Influenza Vaccines available for an influenza pandemic. The exact pandemic influenza virus cannot be identified before a pandemic, and current vaccine-making techniques require six to eight months to manufacture influenza vaccine. Questions and Answers: H5N1 Avian Flu Vaccine Trials The federal government’s goal is to have enough vaccine for everyone, but supplies will probably be limited in the early stages of a pandemic.
Related QuestionsIf there is an influenza pandemic, what will happen?
Santa Barbara County - Pandemic Flu ResponseNo one knows for sure what will happen if there is another pandemic influenza. In the 1918-19 pandemic, tens of millions of people died around the world. Schools were closed, businesses shut down, people stayed at home, doctors and hospitals were overwhelmed. But in the pandemics of 1957-58 and 1968-69, many Americans were not even aware that there was a pandemic, even though thousands of people died. There is no way to predict how severe the next pandemic will be.
Related QuestionsWhat can I do to protect against pandemic or regular influenza?
Santa Barbara County - Pandemic Flu ResponseThe most important thing you can do to prevent or slow the spread of influenza is to wash your hands frequently and cover your cough. Wash your hands frequently. Wash hands before you prepare food, eat, or touch your face. Wash hands after you work or play outdoors, and after you touch things that many other people have touched. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Put used tissues in the trash and then wash your hands.
Related QuestionsWill a mask protect me from pandemic influenza?
Santa Barbara County - Pandemic Flu ResponseThere is not enough information right now to make good scientific recommendations about the use of masks to protect someone from getting influenza. In a pandemic, people who are sick should use masks to help protect caretakers from the illness. People who are sick should also use masks if they absolutely must leave their house, to help protect others. Hospital and health care workers have a lot of exposure to people who are very sick.
Related QuestionsWhere can I get more information about pandemic influenza?
Santa Barbara County - Pandemic Flu ResponseFor more information about pandemic influenza, send us an email at fluinfo@sbcphd.org or phone 888-SBCoFlu (888-722-6358). Home | Individuals and Families | Businesses | Schools | Healthcare | Government | Communities | Media | Contact PandemicFlu.gov is the official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.
Related QuestionsPandemic Influenza - FAQinfluenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or "emerges" in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide.Related Questions
