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Pandemic Influenza
Overview
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic
occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have
little or no immunity, causes serious illness and spreads easily
person-to-person. A pandemic can spread across the country and
around the world in a very short period of time causing millions
of deaths.
Three pandemics have occurred in the past century:
1918-1919 “Spanish flu”
1957-1958 “Asian flu”
1968-1969 “Hong Kong flu”
It is very difficult to predict when the next pandemic will
occur or how severe it will be. Regardless, preparedness efforts
are underway in Georgia to respond to the unique and complex
challenges a pandemic will pose. The Division of Public Health
is working with many public and private providers to ensure all
relevant areas of preparedness are addressed adequately. Please
use the resources presented on this page to gain a better
understanding of the ongoing work and to educate yourself, your
family, and the community about the benefits of planning.
Preparing for a pandemic will have long lasting and profound
effects on emergency preparedness efforts for other disasters as
well.
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Flu Terms Defined:
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. Because there is
little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person
to person. |
