Pandemic Flu

What is pandemic flu?

Pandemic flu is a form of influenza that originated in pigs but can be caught by, and spread among, people. It is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of pandemic flu happen regularly in pigs.

People do not normally get pandemic influenza, though infections do sometimes happen. In the recent past, most human cases of pandemic influenza have been in people who were in close contact with pigs, such as farmers.

In the current outbreak the virus has been spread by person-to-person contact.

Where has been affected by pandemic flu?

There have been no confirmed cases of human infection with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Northern Ireland but viruses have been confirmed in Scotland and in a number of other countries including the US, Canada, Spain, New Zealand and Israel.

This has given rise to concern that the outbreak could become a pandemic flu - a global outbreak of flu that spreads quickly because it is a new type of virus that few, if any, people have resistance to.

What is a pandemic?

A flu pandemic is a natural event that occurs from time to time. Last century, there were flu pandemics in 1918, 1957 and 1968, when millions of people died across the world.

Experts warn that another flu pandemic could happen soon, but they do not know when.

These pages aim to inform you about the current pandemic flu outbreak and pandemic flu and advise on the important measures to take if a flu pandemic breaks out.

How is pandemic flu different from seasonal flu or bird flu?

Seasonal flu, caused by an existing flu virus, is a common infection in Northern Ireland that usually occurs during a two-month period in winter. For most people, it is an unpleasant but not life-threatening infection. People who are more at risk from it, such as older people, can be given a vaccine each year.

Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is influenza that, as its name suggests, is usually confined to birds. However, like pandemic flu, it can also sometimes be caught by people and by pigs.

If pandemic flu or bird flu do spread in people, it can be very serious. Deaths are possible but the degree to which this is a risk will very much depend on the virulence and ease of infection.

A pandemic occurs when a new flu virus appears in the human population and spreads from person to person worldwide. It is likely that such a virus will be caused by a bird or animal virus mixing with the human virus.

It is expected that an outbreak of pandemic flu will cause more illness and potentially more deaths than ordinary flu.

Is a flu pandemic imminent?

A pandemic could happen at any time, but we cannot predict exactly when it would start. The pandemic flu virus may or may not lead to a pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring cases of this new flu virus.

The WHO has defined stages in the progression of a pandemic. We are currently at Phase six of six phases (a pandemic is confirmed at Phase Six).

Current WHO phase of pandemic alert

What can we do?

The single most effective way to stop or slow the spread of diseases such as pandemic flu is to prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.

You should also think about what you would do if you and your family became ill. Who could you rely on for support, such as to collect medicines or shop for you? What food and other supplies should you store up at home?

Pandemic Flu and you (health and well being section)

What is the government doing to prepare?

GPs and hospitals across Northern Ireland are preparing for a pandemic, and the Department of Health (DHSSPS) and Public Health Agency is working with WHO to monitor the situation.

If pandemic flu does arrive in Northern Ireland, antiviral medicine has been stockpiled to treat people who become ill. In addition once the new virus has been identified a new vaccine will be developed and this will become available several months later. It is possible that more generic vaccines already in production could be used in the early stages but this depends on the precise nature of the flu virus concerned.

While the development of a specific vaccine can only start once the new virus has been identified, the UK has agreements with manufacturers for the production of a vaccine when it becomes available.

Source: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/

Other Useful contacts

• Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety  

• Public Health Agency  

• Health Protection Agency  

• CDSC NI  

• World Health Organisation  

• Foreign & Commonwealth Office  

• Department of Foreign Affairs  

t of Hours 028 90 56 5656