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| Pandemic Preparedness (Things You Can Do) |
CDC and Red Cross Preparedness Web Site
Prepare an emergency kit, learn about public health strategies intended to stop spread of infectious diseases such as, isolation, shelter in place and quarantine.
Health Experts Warn of Flu Pandemic
Public health professionals around the world are warning of the possibility of an influenza (flu) pandemic caused by the influenza virus combining with an animal virus to create a new influenza virus. JCPH along with local health departments across the U.S. is working on influenza pandemic response plans.
The concern is over a particular strain of bird flu called H5N1 which has spread throughout SE Asia's bird population. Although avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect humans, more than 100 confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza have been reported since 1997. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains situation updates and cumulative reports of human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1). Thus far, the virus has not mixed with a human influenza strain, but many believe it is only a matter of time.
New strains of influenza viruses can emerge and spread rapidly through susceptible populations.
Humans may have little or no immunity to this new virus and initially there will be no preventive vaccine.
Influenza pandemics, or global epidemics, have occurred three times during the 20th century: In 1918, 1957, and 1968. The 1918 pandemic resulted in more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. and over 20 million deaths globally. |
