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covershot_phuipp.jpgInfluenza Pandemic

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus appears against which the human population has no immunity, resulting in several, simultaneous epidemics worldwide with enormous numbers of deaths and illness. With the increase in global transport and communications, as well as urbanization and overcrowded conditions, epidemics due the new influenza virus are likely to quickly take hold around the world.
(Source: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/index.html)

It has been repeatedly stated over the last thirty years that an influenza pandemic is overdue. The recent well-publicized events in South East Asia, China and now Turkey related to avian influenza are signs that the H5N1 virus may responsible for a next influenza pandemic, similar to the events of 1918 with the “Spanish Flu.”

Influenza Outbreaks

Influenza viruses change rapidly and often. The virus changes in order to get past the defenses that the human body generates to fight illness. These defenses are helped by annual vaccinations as well as the antibodies we create from previous infections. If the influenza virus changes enough, then no one has built up the defenses to stop the virus. If the new virus causes enough people to become ill, we see an "outbreak".

Outbreaks become pandemics when large unprotected populations become ill.

Animal populations are subject to influenza and influenza outbreaks, for the same reasons. When animal outbreaks happen around the same time as a human outbreak, the chances of a virus to "cross over" become greater, with the viruses combining to create something quite different.

Influenza vaccines have to be very precise, targetting specific strains of the virus. As a result, it can take a while to develop a vaccine. This delay, along with the increased speed that a virus can spread around the globe (thanks to easy cross border and cross-continent air travel), means that huge populations can become ill before a vaccine can be given.

Information for businesses

Business contingency planning is a continuous process to help prepare businessses and organizations for the disruption. In preparation for an influenza pandemic, business contingency planning can provide you and your employees with peace of mind.

There are a number of resources available through the Porcupine Health Unit, as well as a number of government websites:

Last reviewed: January 20, 2011