Other topics covered on this page include: bird flu or avian influenza.
Pandemic influenza refers to a flu strain that has spread around the world to many people. In the last century, three influenza pandemics happened worldwide; each pandemic was different and hard to predict.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) continually prepares to respond to a disease outbreak like pandemic influenza. Information and resources on pandemic influenza provided by IDPH are listed below and organized by audience groups. To view them, click on the group which best describes you.
Information by audience groups
General Information
Pandemic Influenza Summit 2/3/2006
Preparedness
Getting the Terms - Pandemic Glossary
| Pandemic | Pan means "all" and demos means "people". A pandemic of disease is a disease that has spread around the world to many people. |
| Epidemic | Epi means "upon" and demos means "people". An epidemic of disease is when more people in a certain area or region become ill above what is normal within a certain time. |
| Outbreak | An outbreak is when many people get sick at the same time. |
| Epidemiologist | An epidemiologist is a person who tracks disease in a population. |
| Avian flu | Avian flu is relating to, or characteristic of birds. Avian influenza can infect birds. |
| Seasonal flu | Seasonal flu occurs every year, usually in the winter months. Peak season in Iowa is from October to May. All Iowans are encouraged to get the influenza vaccine each fall to prevent against seasonal flu. |
| Influenza-like illness | Influenza-like illness is when a person has a fever >100 F and a cough and/or sore throat. Influenza also causes body aches, chills, extreme fatigue and may cause nausea and vomiting in children. Not all people who have these symptoms will actually have influenza. |
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