Pandemic Flu

The 1918 Spanish flu epidemic was caused by an influenza A (H1N1) virus, killing more than 500,000 people in the United States, and up to 50 million worldwide. The possible source was a newly emerged virus from a swine or an avian host of a mutated H1N1 virus. Many people died within the first few days after infection, and others died of complications later. Nearly half of those who died were young, healthy adults. Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C., Image NCP 1603

Pandemic Flu
Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human population, causes serious illness and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruptions and economic loss.

For a flu pandemic to occur, three conditions must be met:

1. An new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human population
2. The new virus must cause serious illness in people
3. The new virus is spread easily from person to person worldwide

Many scientists believe that avian influenza will develop into the next pandemic. Currently, avian influenza meets the first two criteria for being a pandemic. Avian influenza does not spread easily from person to person.

However, with every new case of avian influenza in humans it becomes more likely that avian influenza will change into a virus that is easily spread between humans and would then be considered a pandemic.

source:vaccine4me.com