What is an influenza pandemic?

Answer:

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness, and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.

Related Basic Information Questions

• How do pandemic viruses occur?  
• Will a pandemic influenza occur? If so, when will it happen?
• Why are pandemics such dreaded events?
• What age groups are most likely to be affected during an influenza pandemic?
• Could terrorists spread the avian influenza viruses to create a worldwide pandemic?

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Last Updated: 03/21/2007