Influenza pandemics are known to have occurred several times each century since the Middle Ages. There were three influenza pandemics in the 20th century, in 1918, 1957 and 1968. Experts believe we are overdue for the next influenza pandemic. No one can predict when a pandemic might occur, but many scientists from around the world are watching the H5N1 avian (bird) influenza situation in Asia and Europe very closely.

New influenza viruses emerge as a result of a process called antigenic shift, which causes a sudden and major change in influenza A viruses. These changes occur when proteins on the surface of the virus combine in new ways as a result of mutation or exchange of genetic material between multiple influenza viruses. If such changes result in a new influenza A virus subtype that can infect humans and spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic can occur.

Numerous pandemics have occurred throughout history. One of the most notable flu outbreaks of any real comparison to the current threat was the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 which is estimated to have caused the death of at least 40 million people and is said to have been the result of a bird flu virus that spread easily among humans. Experts say a pandemic was narrowly averted as recently as 2003 when the SARS outbreak peaked, and also in 1997 when a bird flu outbreak occurred in Hong Kong.

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The World Health Organization has estimated that a bird flu pandemic could take the lives of up to 7,400,000 people. It is however believed that the actual figure could far surpass this amount.

Free polls from Pollhost.com Flu viruses are constantly changing and adapting, so it is likely that viruses sufficiently different from 'ordinary' flu strains to cause a pandemic will emerge from time to time. International disease experts are saying that the world is overdue for the next pandemic.

No one knows for sure. What we do know is that there were 3 flu pandemics in the 20th century. We also know that medicine and technology have not changed enough to protect us from another one. Scientists speculate it is not if, but when a pandemic strikes. That is why it is so important to prepare now.

A pandemic is an epidemic that usually affects a large proportion of the population, occurring over a wide geographic area such as a section of a nation, the entire nation, a continent or the world.

We do not know ? it can't be predicted. The gaps between previous pandemics have varied widely. Intervals between previous pandemics have varied from 11 to 42 years with no recognisable pattern. Three influenza pandemics occurred in the last century ? 1918/19 (Spanish flu), 1957/58 (Asian flu) and 1968/69 (Hong Kong flu). All affected large numbers of the population, causing many deaths and huge economic and social disruption.

The last influenza pandemic occurred in 1968-69. During the 20th century, the emergence of several new influenza A virus subtypes caused three pandemics, all of which spread around the world within a year of being detected. The last influenza pandemic in 1968-69, called the "Hong Kong flu" [A (H3N2)], caused about 34,000 deaths in the United States. This virus was first detected in Hong Kong in early 1968 and spread to the United States later that year.

Many scientists believe it is only a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic occurs. The severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted, but modeling studies suggest that the impact of a pandemic on the United States could be substantial.

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Many scientists believe it is a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic occurs. However, the timing and severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted. Influenza pandemics occurred three times in the past century — in 1918-19, 1957-58, and 1968-69.

The answer is unclear. The best way to prevent a pandemic would be to eliminate the virus from birds, an unlikely scenario in the near future. As mentioned above, there are theoretical models of prophylactically utilized antivirals near the start of a pandemic to reduce the emergence of a fully transmissible virus or delay its international spread and to gain time for vaccine development.