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Pandemic Flu Defined
Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a
new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human
population, causes serious illness and then spreads easily from
person to person worldwide. Past influenza pandemics have led to
high levels of illness, death, social disruptions and economic
loss.
For a flu pandemic to occur, three conditions must be met:
- An new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the
human population
- The new virus must cause serious illness in people
- The new virus is spread easily from person to person
worldwide
Many scientists believe that avian influenza will develop into
the next pandemic. Currently, avian influenza meets the first two
criteria for being a pandemic. Avian influenza does not spread
easily from person to person.
However, with every new case of avian influenza in humans it
becomes more likely that avian influenza will change into a virus
that is easily spread between humans and would then be considered
a pandemic.
It is impossible to predict the date and severity of the next
pandemic but the chances of a pandemic have increase due to the
current situation with avian influenza.
Current Pandemic Threat
The World Health Organization had developed a six phase guide to
measure the current situation and threat of a pandemic influenza.
Currently the world is in phase three, “Pandemic Alert”,
which means that a new influenza virus has emerged that causes
disease in humans, but is not yet spreading efficiently and
sustainable among humans.
The world is closer now to having another influenza pandemic
than it has been since 1968, when the last pandemic occurred.
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