Pandemic flu occurs when an influenza epidemic occurs worldwide, infecting a large proportion of the human population. Influenza pandemics occur when the influenza virus mutates, resulting in a version that the world's population does not yet have immunity to. This can occur when a strain of flu that has previously only infected animals such as birds or pigs crosses over and infects humans. The World Health Organization created a six-point scale in 2005 to measure the severity of a flu outbreak and to assist in alerting agencies to the response to such a situation.UPI: WHO Raises Warning Level 4 (April 28, 2009)
- On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization raised the pandemic alert level from five to 6, decaring the swine influenza outbreak the the first pandemic influenza since the 1968 Hong Kong Flu.New York Daily New: [1]
Historical Flu Pandemics
- 1918: Spanish Flu
- 1957: Asian Flu
- 1968: Hong Kong Flu
- 2009: Swine InfluenzaNew York Daily New: [1]
Influenza Symptoms
1918 Flu Pandemic
Although the 1918 strain of flu that killed over 50 million people worldwide is commonly known as the Spanish Flu, it had nothing to do with Spain. The first reports of the virus indicate that it originated in the United States, and spread rapidly due to the crowded conditions at Army bases. Scientists believe that the 1918 virus probably arose from a strain of avian flu, H1N1, that mutated and crossed over into the human population.CDC: 1918 Influenza: the Mother of All Pandemics One third of the world's population was infected with the virus, which killed more people than World War I.http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol12no01/05-0979.htm 1918 Influenza: the Mother of All Pandemics] National Archives: Influenza Epidemic
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a physician for information on pandemic flu.
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Pandemic Flu Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Pandemic Flu
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
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More severe than ordinary influenza
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Symptoms similar to ordinary flu
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Generally high levels of mortality
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Could cause
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Could require
314,000 to 734,000 U.S. hospital bedsVirginia Department of Health: Pandemic Influenza
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Might affect
20 to 47 million people in the U.S.Virginia Department of Health: Pandemic Influenza
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U.S. cost
Would range from $71.3 to $166.5 billionVirginia Department of Health: Pandemic Influenza
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Fact:
20th century saw 3 influenza pandemicsVirginia Department of Health: Pandemic Influenza
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Fact:
1918 Flu pandemic killed more people than any other disease in recorded historyCDC: 1918 Influenza: the Mother of All Pandemics
