Pandemic Influenza

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 is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. At this time the H5N1 virus cannot easily be transmitted from person to person. There is no human immunity to this virus and no vaccine is available.

Rhode Island Pandemic influenza is a worldwide outbreak of severe flu caused by a virus that is new to humans. Pandemics occur when a new or markedly changed virus develops. Because the virus is new or very different from any virus seen before, there is no natural immunity (defenses) in the human population, and the disease can spread easily from person to person. In a pandemic, many people may get sick at the same time, and many may die.

Pandemic influenza is caused by a new influenza virus that appears or "emerges" in the human population. The new virus causes serious illness because humans have no existing immunity to it. It spreads easily from person to person, causing a global outbreak of disease within a very short time. There is no influenza pandemic now, but we need to be prepared.

What you need to know: There is no pandemic influenza in the world today, but...

.... recent reports of a new influenza virus infection transmitted from birds to humans in Asia have drawn attention to the possibility that pandemic flu could arrive in the United States soon.

The influenza virus, in a pandemic situation, will infect about 30% of the Rhode Island population within six to eight weeks. In a very severe pandemic, up to two to three percent of those infected might die.

Of those who become ill, about 50% will seek medical care.

"Flu" is a short way to say influenza, a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. These viruses can cause mild to severe illness, depending on the strain of the virus and the individual's ability to fight it off.

The demand for health care services will increase during a pandemic influenza outbreak. At the same time, the number of health care workers will decrease due to illness.

Current technology used to make influenza vaccine may not be fast enough to make a vaccine against pandemic influenza.

Pandemic Influenza planning checklists for
state & local government, business, individuals & families, childcare & preschool, schools K-12, colleges & universities, home health care, medical offices & clinics, emergency medical services, faith-based & community organizations, media, long-term care.

Preparing for Pandemic Influenza: Rhode Island Summit with Governor Donald L. Carcieri and Secretary Mike Leavitt

Pandemic Flu Emergency Response Plan: Summary Report to Governor Donald L. Carcieri

Rhode Island Department Health Pandemic Influenza Plan Version 1/25/2006 includes Public Information Plan update 5/24/2006
191 pages, 1.3MB

State of Rhode Island
Emergency Operations Plan
Pandemic Flu Annex – Version 1 December 20, 2005

Pandemic Influenza Brochure
Pandemic Influenza: What you can do to prepare
Download, print and fold into fourths
Also available in:
Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, French, Hmong, Lao, Vietnamese

Avian Influenza Testing: Information for Laboratorians

Avian Influenza Severity and Department of Environmental Management Response

National Pandemic Flu Website
The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.

HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan

CDC Pandemic Influenza Update August 2006

Stop the Spread of Germs
Posters and Other Materials from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control