Vcoderz Community - View Single Post

**majousseh** · 04-26-2009

you have probably heard these days in the news about the outbreak of a new form of influenza in mexico. it's called the swine flu (grippe porcine).
This is really serious. Maybe much more serious than the avian flu.
we have all to be aware in case of a worldwide pandemic outbreak.

What Is an Influenza Pandemic?

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.

Historically, the 20th century saw 3 pandemics of influenza:

1918 influenza pandemic caused up to 50 million deaths worldwide
1957 influenza pandemic caused 1-2 million deaths worldwide
1968 influenza pandemic caused about 700,000 deaths worldwide

Characteristics and challenges of a pandemic

Rapid Worldwide Spread
- When a pandemic influenza virus emerges, its global spread is considered inevitable.
- Preparedness activities should assume that the entire world population would be susceptible.
- Countries might, through measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, delay arrival of the virus, but cannot stop it.
Health Care Systems Overloaded
- Most people have little or no immunity to a pandemic virus. Infection and illness rates soar. A substantial percentage of the world’s population will require some form of medical care.
- Nations unlikely to have the staff, facilities, equipment and hospital beds needed to cope with large numbers of people who suddenly fall ill.
- Death rates are high, largely determined by four factors: the number of people who become infected, the virulence of the virus, the underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations and the effectiveness of preventive measures.
- Past pandemics have spread globally in two and sometimes three waves.
Medical Supplies Inadequate
- The need for vaccine is likely to outstrip supply.
- The need for antiviral drugs is also likely to be inadequate early in a pandemic.
- A pandemic can create a shortage of hospital beds, ventilators and other supplies. Surge capacity at non-traditional sites such as schools may be created to cope with demand
- Difficult decisions will need to be made regarding who gets antiviral drugs and vaccines.
Economic and Social Disruption
- Travel bans, closings of schools and businesses and cancellations of events could have major impact on communities and citizens.
- Care for sick family members and fear of exposure can result in significant worker absenteeism.

04-26-2009	#1
majousseh Vcoderz Team Last Online: 04-15-2018 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 652 Thanks: 768 Thanked 983 Times in 468 Posts Groans: 14 Groaned at 4 Times in 4 Posts	Medical Alert you have probably heard these days in the news about the outbreak of a new form of influenza in mexico. it's called the swine flu (grippe porcine). This is really serious. Maybe much more serious than the avian flu. we have all to be aware in case of a worldwide pandemic outbreak. What Is an Influenza Pandemic? A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide. Historically, the 20th century saw 3 pandemics of influenza: 1918 influenza pandemic caused up to 50 million deaths worldwide 1957 influenza pandemic caused 1-2 million deaths worldwide 1968 influenza pandemic caused about 700,000 deaths worldwide Characteristics and challenges of a pandemic Rapid Worldwide Spread When a pandemic influenza virus emerges, its global spread is considered inevitable. Preparedness activities should assume that the entire world population would be susceptible. Countries might, through measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, delay arrival of the virus, but cannot stop it. Health Care Systems Overloaded Most people have little or no immunity to a pandemic virus. Infection and illness rates soar. A substantial percentage of the world’s population will require some form of medical care. Nations unlikely to have the staff, facilities, equipment and hospital beds needed to cope with large numbers of people who suddenly fall ill. Death rates are high, largely determined by four factors: the number of people who become infected, the virulence of the virus, the underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations and the effectiveness of preventive measures. Past pandemics have spread globally in two and sometimes three waves. Medical Supplies Inadequate The need for vaccine is likely to outstrip supply. The need for antiviral drugs is also likely to be inadequate early in a pandemic. A pandemic can create a shortage of hospital beds, ventilators and other supplies. Surge capacity at non-traditional sites such as schools may be created to cope with demand Difficult decisions will need to be made regarding who gets antiviral drugs and vaccines. Economic and Social Disruption Travel bans, closings of schools and businesses and cancellations of events could have major impact on communities and citizens. Care for sick family members and fear of exposure can result in significant worker absenteeism.