What is a Pandemic?
For a pandemic to happen, there must be three existing factors:
- Development of a new influenza A virus - this is a virus for which there is no human immunity. If there is no immunity, your body cannot protect itself.
- Increased sickness in humans - although some people may seem not to react to having this new virus, some people will experience flu-like symptoms. The severity of the illness will differ among the general population.
- Transmission from person-to-person - the new virus must be able to be spread from person-to-person. Transmission may occur through things such as shaking hands or coming into contact with droplets from sneezes. If the new virus is only spread from animals to humans, then a pandemic will not occur.