Pandemic Flu
Most people are familiar with the seasonal, or common flu, which is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most have some immunity to the common flu, and a vaccine is available.
Occasionally a particularly virulent human flu causes a global outbreak, or pandemic. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population and the virus begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.
Currently, there is no pandemic flu. However, the emergence of a possible human influenza virus pandemic presents a formidable preparedness and response challenge for the Nation and for the National Aging Services Network (Aging Network).
General Information
- What Is An Influenza Pandemic?
- Pandemic Planning Assumptions
- Flu Terms Defined
- Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
- Avian (or bird) flu (AI) is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. Low pathogenic AI is common in birds and causes few problems. Highly pathogenic H5N1 is deadly to domestic fowl, can be transmitted from birds to humans, and is deadly to humans. There is virtually no human immunity and human vaccine availability is very limited.
- Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.
- Pandemic Planning Update – Report from Secretary Michael O. Leavitt, Department of Health and Human Services
Federal Planning and Response
Technical Assistance Resources
For the Aging Network
For Individuals & Families
Links to Other Resources and Organizations
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