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2008 Arizona Pandemic Influenza Operational Plan
Guidance on Allocation and Targeting Pandemic Influenza Vaccine (July 2008,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Homeland
Security)
The Arizona Influenza Pandemic Response Plan
It is likely that another influenza pandemic will occur at
some  time in the future. The State of Arizona has created an Influenza
Pandemic Response Plan to promote an effective response throughout an influenza
pandemic. While a pandemic response is primarily a public health response,
many agencies, organizations, and private institutions will need to work in a
coordinated and collaborative manner to ensure an effective overall response in
Arizona.
The report consists of an introductory summary and a series of
detailed Supplements. The heart of the Arizona Influenza Pandemic Response
Plan is the Response Activity Supplements.
These Supplements are subject-area specific and provide very detailed
planning and response activities.
The Response Activity Supplements are subject to change and
will be updated with changes in planning assumptions, response capacities, or
information on potential pandemic strains and subsequent disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is influenza?
Influenza, or the "flu", is an infection of the respiratory tract
(breathing tubes and lungs), caused by the influenza virus. In some persons,
complications of influenza can be severe, including pneumonia.
What is pandemic
influenza?
Pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of disease from a new influenza A
virus that is unlike past influenza viruses. Because people have not been
infected with a similar virus in the past, most or all people will not have any
natural immunity (protection) to a new pandemic virus.
How is a pandemic
different from regular flu season?
A flu pandemic has
little or nothing in common with the annual flu season. Pandemic flu would
be a new strain and a much more serious and contagious flu virus. Humans
would have no natural resistance to a new strain of influenza. Also, there
is a vaccine for seasonal flu, but there is no vaccine available at this
time for pandemic flu.
Why is pandemic influenza
so serious?
Because most or all
people would not have immunity to a new pandemic virus, large numbers of persons
around the world can be infected. If the pandemic virus causes severe disease,
many people may develop serious illnesses.
Once a pandemic virus
develops, it can spread rapidly causing outbreaks around the world. The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that as much as 25% to
30% of the US population could be affected.
Can pandemic flu be
prevented?
The Arizona
Department of Health Services is working with federal and local government
agencies to respond to pandemic influenza if an outbreak should occur. The ADHS Pandemic
Flu Plan identifies Arizona-specific activities that may occur during
a flu pandemic. Governments around the world are preparing for the possibility
of a pandemic outbreak under the leadership of the World Health
Organization.
It may not be possible to
prevent or stop a pandemic once it begins. A person infected with influenza
virus can be contagious for 24 hours before the onset of symptoms, and for seven
days thereafter, making it extremely easy for the virus to spread rapidly to
large numbers of people.
Although the federal
government is stockpiling medical supplies and antiviral drugs, no country in
the world has enough antiviral drugs to protect all its citizens. Antiviral
drugs may be used to treat severe cases or prevent additional cases as long as
supplies are available. Antiviral drugs might also be prioritized for people who
work in essential occupations, such as health care workers.
There currently is no vaccine
to protect humans against a pandemic influenza virus because we do not know
which virus will spark the next pandemic. However, vaccine development efforts
are under way to protect humans against a pandemic influenza virus that might
develop from the current bird flu virus in Asia, A/H5N1. (See information on
bird flu below).
When is pandemic influenza
expected?
Influenza pandemics
occur naturally. There were 3 pandemics in the 20th century. The pandemic of
1918-19 was the most severe pandemic on record, in which 50 million or more
persons around the world died, including approximately 650,000 Americans.
It is not possible to predict
accurately when influenza pandemics will occur or how severe they will be.
However, the current outbreak of avian influenza in Asia has influenza experts
concerned that a pandemic could be developing.
Do businesses and schools
need to plan for a pandemic?
Yes. In the event of pandemic influenza, businesses will play a key role in
protecting employees’ health and safety as well as limiting the negative
impact to the economy and society. Planning for pandemic influenza is critical.
To assist you in your efforts, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed this checklist
for businesses. It identifies important, specific activities large businesses
can do now to prepare, many of which will also help you in other emergencies.
Why does the current bird
flu outbreak in
Southeast Asia
pose a risk of causing a pandemic influenza A outbreak in humans?
New human influenza
viruses arise from bird influenza viruses that then change to a form that can
infect humans and spread readily from person to person. The current bird flu
outbreak in Asia is caused by a type of influenza A virus called “H5N1.” The
H5N1 outbreak among domestic chickens and ducks in Asia is widespread and
uncontrolled. Human infections and deaths due to the avian H5N1 virus have
occurred, although the virus has at this time not developed the ability to pass
easily from person to person and cause outbreaks in humans.
What are the symptoms of
bird flu in humans?
The reported symptoms
of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical influenza-like symptoms (e.g.,
fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections (conjunctivitis),
pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and
life-threatening complications.
What can the public do to
reduce the risk of pandemic influenza?
Information on this page has been
adapted from Public Health - Seattle & King County, August 17, 2005. |
