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Press Room
Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet
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What is a pandemic?
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A disease epidemic occurs when there are more cases of that disease than normal. A pandemic is a worldwide epidemic of a disease. An influenza pandemic may occur when a new influenza virus appears against which the human population has no immunity. The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors the emergence of diseases in order to plan, prepare and respond to a potential global outbreak. WHO ranks the threat of disease based on ability to spread from phase 1 to 6, phase 1 having few human cases (disease predominantly in animals) and 6 meaning widespread human infection. On June 11, 2009, WHO officially declared phase 6, based on the spread of the A/H1N1 influenza virus.
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How do pandemic outbreaks occur?
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New influenza viruses emerge when proteins on the surface of a virus combine in new ways with proteins from other viruses, a process known as antigenic shift, causing a sudden and major change in the influenza virus. These changes may result in a new type of influenza virus, to which most people may not have immunity.
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How many pandemics have occurred?
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Pandemics occurred four times in the last 100 years: |
Why is a pandemic dangerous?
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A pandemic is caused by a new influenza virus to which humans have never been exposed before and have no immunity against. Previously, influenza pandemics have resulted in increased death, disease and social disruption. The severity of disease and the number of deaths caused by a pandemic virus vary greatly, and cannot be known prior to the emergence of the virus. During past pandemics, attack rates reached 25-35 percent of the total population. Currently, the H1N1 influenza virus is causing moderately severe disease and most people affected have recovered without medical attention; however some groups have an increased risk of serious illness, such as pregnant women and persons with chronic conditions such as asthma and obesity. There have been some deaths reported. A global pandemic is spread to almost all countries in the world and is considered unstoppable because the virus spreads very rapidly by coughing or sneezing. The fact that infected people can transmit the virus before symptoms appear adds to the risk of global spreading by travelers.
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How is the recent pandemic (swine flu) spread? |
The spread of the H1N1 influenza virus happens the same way as the spread of the seasonal flu from human-to-human transmission. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food or from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe. |
| For more information: |
World Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
