What to Expect with a Pandemic Outbreak
A pandemic could cause many problems for many countries. Most people would not have immunity against a bird flu pandemic virus. If the avian flu becomes a pandemic, it will infect millions of people around the world. The virus pandemic has the potential to cause severe disease, which will cause serious illnesses for many people, and others that develop the influenza may even die. Most people dont know what to expect with a pandemic outbreak, and so many things can only be left to the imagination. When a pandemic virus develops, it spreads rapidly causing outbreaks throughout the world. It has been predicted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that as much as 25 percent to 30 percent of the US population could be affected by the outbreak. Pandemic influenza has the potential to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory secretions. Respiratory secretions are droplets (spit or mucous) that contain a virus that spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These virus-containing droplets can land on the surface of the mouth, nose and throat of people who are near the ill person. The virus can also be spread through contact with the respiratory secretions on the hands of an infected person and other objects and surfaces. A pandemic could cause high levels of illness and death, which could lead to social and economic disruption. The available workforce will be reduced, because so many people will be becoming ill, caring for the ill, and looking after their children at home. Its also possible for a pandemic to cause school closings, business closings, the interruption of basic services, such as public transportation and food delivery. A pandemic may also cause the cancellation of large public gatherings. Doctors officers will also be busier than usual, if a pandemic outbreak occurs. A large number of sick people may overwhelm hospitals and clinics, because they may experience substantial staff shortages due to illness. There may be changes in the healthcare system; for example, it may be difficult for many people to get medical care or to talk directly to their healthcare provider. A pandemic may also cause many shortages in the healthcare industry. The pandemic may cause a shortage in medical supplies, healthcare providers, and hospital beds for ill persons. These shortages would cause healthcare providers to make decisions on what patients to give medical care to and how much treatment can be administered. There will be almost no instance of a vacant hospital bed, but most people that contract the flu will be able to be cared for at their homes. Many cities will find it convenient to set up alternate medical care facilities if a pandemic occurs. Health care information and hotline numbers will also be broadcast over local news media and on several health Web sites. Hospitals may expect capacity levels to reach 50 percent for bird flu patients, and some may be higher. Some non-emergency medical services may also be curtailed during a pandemic. Communications levels will also be increased during a pandemic. During a pandemic, critical information should be provided in clear, simple and transparent messages disseminated through multiple methods. Some effective ways to communicate during a pandemic include emails, posters, brochures, newsletters and Web site content. Good communication can help reduce any confusion, anxiety, and misinformation that occur during a pandemic. So people can expect constant updates on the pandemics status, and how they can protect themselves. Many services and systems will also be interrupted as result of a pandemic. A major percentage of the interrupted services will likely be due to absenteeism within delivery, transportation and shipping systems. There may also be spot fuel shortages, because fuel is transported to its final destination on ground, which will affect many peoples ability to work. Some of these shortages could result in global travel limitations, which include restrictions on border crossings, and international air travel.
Latest News About Bird Flu:
Survey Reveals Doctors' Complacency Over Risk Of Avian Flu
Less than half of doctors with an interest in infectious diseases in children believe that a flu pandemic resulting from an avian strain is very likely, according to a study published online ahead of print in Archives of Disease in Childhood. But despite this a sizeable minority keep a supply of the anti-viral drug oseltamivir at their disposal, just in case. [click link for full article] Antibodies From Deadly Avian Flu Survivors Could Give Immunity To Others
An international team of scientists has shown that specific antibodies taken from the blood of Vietnamese survivors of the deadly strain of H5N1 avian flu can be reproduced in the laboratory and used to neutralize the virus in a test tube and in mice, suggesting that it could also be a way to confer immunity to humans before and shortly after becoming infected.The findings are published in the open access journal PLoS Medicine. [click link for full article] FDA Finalizes Guidances For Pandemic And Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued final recommendations to increase the supply of safe and effective influenza vaccines for both seasonal and pandemic use. FDA's goal with the guidances is to outline the regulatory pathways for the rapid development and approval of these products. "FDA continues its commitment to help increase the supply of influenza vaccines and support the development of new approaches to vaccine production," said Jesse L. [click link for full article] Confirmation Of Avian Influenza H7N2 Infection, UK
The Health Protection Agency is providing expert support and advice to the National Public Health Service for Wales after an H7N2 avian influenza infection was found in birds on a small farm in north Wales. The Agency has carried out tests on specimens from nine people associated with the incident; seven are from Wales and two were from north west England. Four of the test results were positive - two of these were from Wales and two were from north... 99 Cases Of Bird Flu Human Infection So Far In Indonesia
The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza.A 5-year-old female from Wonogiri district, Central Java Province developed symptoms on 8 May, was hospitalized on 15 May and died in hospital on 17 May.Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead poultry.Of the 97 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 77 have been fatal. [click link for full article]
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