Frequently Asked Questions
What is pandemic flu?
Flu that spreads rapidly causing widespread epidemics around the world.
Pandemic influenza occurs when a new, highly infectious and dangerous strain of
the influenza virus appears.
In contrast to the ‘ordinary’ or `seasonal’, flu outbreaks which we see every winter, flu pandemics occur infrequently – usually every few decades. There
were three in the last century. The most serious was in 1918, killing millions of
people worldwide. Smaller pandemics happened in 1957 and 1968.
What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?
A pandemic occurs over large geographical areas (usually worldwide) and affects a
high proportion of the population; an epidemic, although it may be serious,
usually refers to what is happening in one country or region.
Is another pandemic of influenza is likely?
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.
When is the next pandemic due?
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.
Where is the new virus likely to come from?
Past experience suggests that it will first appear in Asia, but it could be anywhere.
Will it arrive in winter like normal flu?
Not necessarily. A new virus may not follow the usual seasonal pattern of ordinary
influenza. It could occur at any time of the year.
How is the virus spread?
The virus is easily passed from person to person by breathing in air containing
virus produced when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. It can
spread through hand/face contact after touching a person or surface
contaminated with the virus.
How will a new virus be detected?
Scientists in an international network of laboratories, co-ordinated by the
Health Organization (WHO) are watching for it all the time. This network
mechanism for monitoring flu viruses around the world, detecting the emergence
influenza viruses with pandemic potential, and alerting other countries.
How will we know when a pandemic is possible?
When a new strain of influenza virus has not only been identified but also causing
illness and has started spreading from one person to another.
Can’t it be prevented at this stage?
International effort will be put to trying to control a pandemic at this early stage.
However, influenza is highly infectious and because whole populations will be
susceptible to the new virus, despite people’s best efforts it is likely to continue
to spread.
What will make a pandemic more likely to happen?
A pandemic will be considered imminent when a new virus has shown it can
spread easily between people. In practice, this means when a new strain of the
virus has been identified as the cause of chains of illness passed from one person
to another or illness in more than one country, with no obvious links.
Bird Flu
What is bird flu?
Bird – or avian – flu is caused by a virus that usually infects birds (particularly
poultry) but occasionally crosses the species barrier and infects humans – recently
predominantly in the Far East, although it also happens elsewhere.
Does it affect people?
Until recently, avian flu was thought to affect people rarely and usually cause only
mild disease such as conjunctivitis. Since 1997, however, one strain of bird flu – H5N1
– has been associated with a very high death rate when people have been affected.
Is there a vaccine for avian flu?
Vaccines against the H5N1 avian flu currently occurring in SE Asia are under
development. These are not the same as a pandemic vaccine – if a pandemic were
to emerge from this virus the virus may have changed to such an extent that this
vaccine may not be appropriate.
Why are we concerned about avian flu?
The avian (bird) flu that is affecting poultry flocks in Asia at the present time has
increased experts’ concern and has now been found in birds in some parts of
Europe. The avian flu virus (H5N1) which is causing these outbreaks has affected
some humans causing serious illness, and a high proportion have died. Scientists
fear that this virus may change with time to make it a more serious threat for
humans and start another pandemic.
Is there a treatment for avian flu?
One or more antiviral drugs are usually helpful in treating avian flu. But they have
to be started within 48 hours of the symptoms starting. They can also be taken by,
for example, poultry workers and cullers exposed to infected birds, or their
droppings, to prevent then getting avian flu.
Influenza vaccine
What is the best line of defence in an influenza pandemic?
Vaccines are the best line of defence in reducing illness and deaths during normal
seasonal influenza. The vaccine has to change each year as the viruses circulating
change. This can be done because the changes can be fairly reliably predicted.
Vaccines can also play an important role in responding to an influenza pandemic
but because the virus will be entirely new and not predictable in the same way, a
specific vaccine cannot be made in advance. Preparatory work is being undertaken
to be in the best possible position to produce vaccine against a pandemic strain
when the situation arises, but they are unlikely to be available in the early stages.
What do vaccines do?
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Vaccines are biological agents that stimulate the body to produce antibodies or
other immunity. Influenza vaccines produce antibodies against strains closely
related to the strains of the virus contained in the vaccine. On exposure to flu
virus, the antibodies help prevent infection and reduce the severity of the illness.
Normal flu vaccines contain parts of three viruses thought most likely to be
circulating during the forthcoming winter.
How effective are influenza vaccines?
This depends on how well the vaccine matches the strains
causing illness. Even with the best match influenza vaccines
in preventing illness. But they can be expected to reduce
complications, the need for hospital care, and deaths.
Will a vaccine be available to prevent illness in a pandemic?
Until the virus has been identified, it is not possible to prepare a vaccine against
a pandemic strain of influenza virus. Once the virus is identified, the vaccine will
take about four to six months to produce. Therefore, depending on the gap
between the two waves of infection a vaccine should be available for the second
wave of infection.
How long will the vaccine take to produce?
The vaccine will take at least 4-6 months to produce.
Why can’t we use currently available flu vaccine?
Currently available flu vaccines only protect against the currently circulating ordinary
flu. The virus causing a pandemic will be so different from the strains in the vaccine
that they are very unlikely to provide any significant immunity in a pandemic
situation. New vaccine must be developed to match the new pandemic strain.
Can any vaccine left from previous years be used?
No. It will only provide protection against old strains of influenza virus, not
against a new strain.
Can’t we anticipate what viruses might cause a pandemic and make a
vaccine available?
There is no vaccine ready to protect against pandemic flu. The virus that causes
pandemic flu will be new and a vaccine to protect against it cannot be made until
the virus has been identified. Before a pandemic starts it is difficult, if not
impossible, to predict what strain will cause it and even then, predictions may
prove wrong, or the predicted virus may have changed enough for a pre-prepared
vaccine to be ineffective. ‘Ordinary’ flu vaccines will not provide protection and
having had a flu ‘jab’ in the recent past does not protect someone.
Antiviral drugs
What are antiviral drugs?
Antiviral drugs are special medicines for the treatment of certain viral infections. Two
types of antiviral drugs are available against influenza. They will have an important
role in the prevention and treatment of pandemic influenza, especially during the
time before vaccine becomes generally available.
Do antivirals have side effects?
The antivirals which are likely to be of most use in a pandemic are generally well
tolerated, but on occasion can cause nausea and vomiting.
Will they be recommended for all groups of the population?
During a pandemic, antivirals will have to be used in the most effective way,
taking into account emerging evidence about the pandemic and the effectiveness
of the drugs as well as their availability. Some groups of people will, therefore,
take priority over others.
Are there any other countermeasures available?
Since vaccines and antiviral drugs are likely to be in limited supply, especially at
the onset of a pandemic, other public health and ‘social’ interventions may be the
only available countermeasures to limit or slow the spread of the disease.
Measures such as hand washing, and limiting non-essential travel and mass
gatherings of people may slow the spread of the virus to reduce the impact and
`buy’ valuable time.
General questions about pandemic flu
Can anyone get pandemic flu?
Anyone could get sick from pandemic flu. This is a new virus, to which no one is
immune. However, about half of those who are infected can expect to have no
symptoms – called asymptomatic infection.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to (although usually more severe than) other types of flu –
sudden onset of fever, cough, headache, extreme tiredness and aching muscles,
respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat.
Could the virus infect all age groups?
It is expected that all age groups, would be affected as no-one will have immunity
to the new virus.
How can I protect myself and my family?
See recommendations at wwww.survivetheflu.com/whattodo.html
Can I become infected by eating infected poultry?
The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no “pink” parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no “runny” yolks).
Consumers should also be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw. When handling raw poultry or raw poultry products, persons involved in food preparation should wash their hands thoroughly and clean and disinfect surfaces in contact with the poultry products Soap and hot water are sufficient for this purpose.
In areas experiencing outbreaks in poultry, raw eggs should not be used in foods that will not be further heat-treated as, for example by cooking or baking.
Are we at risk right now?
Pandemics are unpredictable in their timing, so we cannot be sure, although
experts say that the warning signs have increased.
Is there treatment available?
As a new pandemic has not materialised yet there is no vaccine and it could take
several months after the start of a pandemic before one could be manufactured on
any scale. Antiviral drugs are available, which limit the symptoms and as a result lessen
the chances of serious complications. They possibly also reduce spread of the disease.
They will need to be used in the most effective way, according to expert advice.
Why won’t antibiotics work?
Influenza is a virus, so antibiotics will not work unless influenza has led to a
bacterial illness that requires treatment.
Can I still travel abroad?
In the event of a pandemic international travel, particularly to and from areas
already affected, is likely to be discouraged in an attempt to slow, or delay,
international spread of the virus.
Should I have the ordinary flu shot?
Yes. If you are due an ‘ordinary’ flu shot you should have it.
Spread the Word.
Regardless of how much coverage the avian threat is receiving in the media, most people are reluctant to act. Perhaps if they don't acknowledge the danger they think it will somehow go away. Or maybe they think the government will look after the situation.
Desperate, panic stricken people are arguably even dangerous than the virus. The more people surrounding you who are prepared for the pandemic, the safer you will be. You'll be secure in the knowledge that your neighbors won't be eyeing your resources. So please spread the word. And don't give up, even though you may feel like the voice in the wilderness. Eventually, if they hear it often enough, some people will take notice. And then they will also spread the word. And in this way we'll all be a little safer.
One effective way of educating your friends and neighbors is by giving them something to read. Here's an informative brochure that you can download and print out. Just click on this LINK.
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