Information and Links to the latest information from the Department of
Health and The Chief Medical Officer
Explaining pandemic flu:
PANDEMIC FLU AND ITS IMPACT
What is pandemic flu? Flu that spreads rapidly to affect almost all countries
and regions around the world. Flu pandemics occur when a new strain of
influenza virus appears, which most people have no immunity to. There were three
flu pandemics in the last century.
They generally affect more people, cause more severe illness and
result in much more serious disruption to society than the ‘ordinary’ flu we
see in the UK each winter.
What happened in the previous pandemics? Previous pandemics affected large numbers of the
population, caused many deaths and resulted in severe economic and social
disruption. ‘Spanish’ flu
occurred just after the First World War and caused millions of deaths
worldwide. ‘Asian’ flu in the
late 1950s and ‘Hong Kong’ flu in the late 1960s were less severe, but had
serious consequences globally.
When is the next pandemic due? No one knows for sure. Intervals between previous
pandemics have varied with no recognisable pattern. Also, a pandemic may not
follow the usual seasonal pattern of ‘ordinary’ flu and could occur at any
time of the year.
What is the difference between ‘ordinary’ flu and
pandemic flu? ‘Ordinary’
flu is the flu that circulates most of the time and produces the winter flu
we see in the UK every year. For most people this is an unpleasant though not
life-threatening illness. The strains of virus causing this type of flu
change from year to year but can be fairly reliably predicted so that an
appropriate vaccine can be prepared each year. Pandemic flu is caused when a new strain of influenza
virus emerges which is markedly different from recently circulating strains.
These changes cannot be predicted in the same way as the changes in
‘ordinary’ flu viruses, so a vaccine specifically against the new strain
cannot be developed in advance.
Should I have an ordinary flu jab? Will this protect me
against pandemic flu? We recommend vaccination for all those over 65 and those
who suffer from illnesses that put them at higher risk from flu - such as
asthma, diabetes or serious heart or lung conditions. If you are someone who
has been advised to have flu vaccination, please make sure you have made your
appointment with your GP practice.
This year’s flu vaccine is already in surgeries or on
its way and doctors are making arrangements for vaccinating everyone at risk
in the local areas. This vaccine will not prevent someone from getting
pandemic flu or avian flu, but it will protect them from the seasonal flu that
will be circulating this winter.
Who will be at risk during a flu pandemic? Everyone is potentially at risk of catching flu during a
flu pandemic, as few people, if anyone, will have immunity to the virus.
Certain groups or age groups may be at greater risk than others; we will not
know for certain who they will be until the virus starts circulating. From
past experience, around a quarter (25%) of the population is likely to
develop flu, although it could be more. Are many people likely to die? This will depend on several factors such as ♣ how virulent the
virus proves to be, ♣ which age groups are
mainly affected, ♣ how soon vaccine is
available and in what quantity and ♣ how effective
antiviral drugs are in treating people. It is
estimated that a pandemic could lead to several million deaths worldwide.
Over 50,000 deaths could occur in the UK.
What contingency plans does the UK have for a flu
pandemic? The UK was one of the first countries to have a flu
pandemic contingency plan in place. This 1997 was revised in March 2005 and
again in October 2005. The plan provides the overall framework for an
integrated UK-wide response, escalating as a pandemic threat increases and
then as the pandemic evolves. (Visit www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu for further
information). The UK plan seeks to reduce the negative health impact
of a pandemic and the possible disruption it may cause to essential services
and people’s daily lives. This will be through the best application of
measures such as antiviral treatment and immunisation (when this becomes
available), and preparing the NHS and society as far as possible.
What preparations are being made in the UK? Publishing the plan is an important step in preparing
for a pandemic. The government is stockpiling enough treatment courses of
antiviral drugs to treat those who may become ill in a pandemic. The Government is also working with
the World Health Organization, international partners, industry and others to
put us in the best possible position to develop a pandemic flu vaccine should
the need arise. Improving our preparedness is a continuous process, putting
into place the actions described in the plan.
What are antiviral drugs? Antiviral drugs are special medicines for the treatment
of certain viral infections and are likely to play an important role in
treating pandemic flu. Treatment with antiviral drugs can be expected to
shorten the duration of the disease, alleviate symptoms and reduce
complications and serious illness.
VACCINE
Why don’t we make a vaccine against pandemic flu now? Because the virus will be new and not predictable in the
way that ‘ordinary’ flu viruses are. Preparatory work is being undertaken to
be in the best possible position to produce vaccine against a pandemic strain
as quickly as possible when the need arises, but development of a vaccine
will take time and a vaccine will not be available in the early stages of a
pandemic.
How long would a vaccine take to produce? On current international estimates, the vaccine will
take at least four to six months to produce. There may be further delays due
to unexpected technical difficulties. Once the virus has been identified and
a suitable vaccine developed then large-scale production will begin as
quickly as possible.
Does this mean that the use of vaccine will be
prioritised? Priority may have to be given to certain groups.
Healthcare workers and other essential service key workers may need to be vaccinated
first, as it will be important to maintain health and other essential
services. Those groups most at risk of serious illness will be a priority to
receive the vaccine as supplies increase. The government will make the
decision based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation (JCVI) (an independent expert advisory committee) and the UK
National Influenza Pandemic Committee.
GENERAL ADVICE
Are there any other countermeasures available? Other public health and ‘social distancing’
interventions may help to limit or slow the spread of the disease and reduce
its impact, especially at the onset of a flu pandemic. These include measures
such as hand washing, limiting non-essential travel and discouraging mass
gatherings of people.
How will we know what to do? There will be regular updates on the television, radio
and in the national press, telling people what is happening and what to do.
People with mild to moderate symptoms will be advised to stay at home.
Helplines will be available for advice.
How can I reduce my risk and protect myself and my
family? · Cover your mouth and
nose when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue whenever possible · Dispose of dirty
tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them · Avoid non-essential
travel and large crowds of people whenever possible · Maintain good hygiene
– washing hands frequently with soap and water protects against picking the
virus up from surfaces and passing it on · Clean hard surfaces
(e.g. kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning
product · Stay at home when you
are sick – if you have a cough and a fever, it is best to rest at home, take
medicines to relieve the symptoms and drink plenty of fluids. This will speed
your recovery and help prevent the spread of infection.
If you need medical advice or assistance, phone NHS
Direct on 0845 4647 or the GP surgery .
Why are experts concerned about a flu pandemic now? Experts believe we should be ready for a pandemic to
emerge at any time. The avian flu (often called ‘bird flu’) currently
affecting poultry in South East Asia and other regions, including Turkey and
Romania, has increased their concern.
What is avian flu? Avian flu is infection caused by a strain of influenza
virus that usually infects wild or domesticated birds (particularly poultry),
but occasionally crosses the species barrier and infects people. This is what
we have seen recently in the cases in South East Asia.
How does avian flu affect people? Until recently, it was thought that avian flu only
rarely affected people and caused only mild disease such as conjunctivitis.
Since 1997, however, more severe illness has occurred in people who have
become infected with avian flu strains following close exposure toinfected
birds., One strain of bird flu – H5N1 – has been associated with a very high
death rate when people have been affected.
Why are we concerned about avian flu? Experts believe a pandemic virus may emerge from an
avian influenza virus, for example if it mixes with a human flu virus,
creating a new virus which is highly infectious for people.
The avian (bird) flu that is affecting poultry flocks in
Asia and other regions at the present time has increased experts’ concern.
The avian flu virus (H5N1) which is causing these outbreaks has affected some
people who have been in close contact with infected birds causing serious
illness. Scientists fear that this virus may change with time to make it a
more likely threat for people and that it could start another pandemic.
Is there a vaccine for avian flu? Not at the moment for people. An H5N1 vaccine is being
developed against the current H5N1 viruses. Is there a treatment for avian flu? Antiviral drugs are likely to be helpful in treating
avian flu. To be effective, antiviral drugs have to be taken within 48 hours
of the symptoms starting. The government has a stockpile of antiviral drugs
for emergency use and is building up this stockpile against the start of a
pandemic.
Should I not travel to countries with avian flu? There are no travel restrictions for persons travelling
to South East Asia . However, previously recommended advice should continue
to be exercised by those who are travelling to these regions: · Avoid visiting live
animal markets and poultry farms · Avoid contact with
surfaces contaminated with animal faeces · Do not attempt to bring any live poultry products back to the UK.
Further information can be found on the Department of
Health and Foreign and Commonwealth Office websites.
I’ve just come back from a country where there’s avian
flu, and I feel ill – what should I do? It is highly unlikely that avian influenza is the cause,
and much more likely that human influenza will be responsible because normal
influenza circulates in many areas of southeast Asia from winter to spring.
However, if you develop a respiratory illness which you consider is severe
enough to warrant treatment and · You have visited a
country affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza, and · You have had contact
with live poultry (chickens, ducks, geese) or pigs or places that house them
in the these countries in the seven days prior to onset of illness, You should contact your general practitioner by
telephone. Your GP will obtain further advice if necessary. Is it safe to eat poultry or game? The Food Standards Agency considers that there is no
evidence of infection due to eating poultry meat that has been thoroughly
cooked. The virus can survive in
faecal material from infected birds and can be spread through inhalation and
ingestion, but is destroyed by cooking.
Key factsPublished: 19 October 2005 Key facts on pandemic influenza, its causes, and preparations for it. Important information for you and your familyPublished: 19 October 2005 This leaflet describes pandemic flu, the risk of it occurring in this country, what makes it different from the ‘ordinary’ flu we get every winter, and what the UK is doing to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. |