What is a Pandemic?

For a pandemic to happen, there must be three existing factors:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.