Pandemic Planning and Preparation
An influenza pandemic occurs with the appearance of a new influenza virus against which no one has any immunity. This results in several, simultaneous epidemics worldwide with high numbers of cases and deaths. With the increase in global transport and communications, as well as urbanization and overcrowded conditions, epidemics due to the new influenza virus are likely to be established quickly around the world.
Only influenza ‘A’ virus can cause pandemics. When a major change in either one or both of the influenza A virus surface proteins occurs spontaneously, no one will have immunity to this completely new virus. When the virus also has the capacity to spread from person-to-person, a pandemic can occur.
One such influenza pandemic is swine flu. Swine Flu or Swine Influenza, also called H1N1 Flu is an acute disease of respiratory system affecting pigs, caused by influenza virus (H1NI subtype). Now-a-days it is affecting humans also and considered to be a deadly flu.
The objective of pandemic planning is to allow countries to be prepared to recognize and manage an influenza pandemic. Planning may help to reduce transmission of the pandemic strain virus, to decrease cases, hospitalizations and deaths, to maintain essential services and to reduce the economic and social impact of a pandemic.
The checklist, prepared by the World Health Organization for the benefit of its Member States worldwide, reflects international expert opinion on the subject of influenza pandemic preparedness planning. The checklist is intended to be comprehensive. It has been developed under the following headings:
• Preparing for an emergency
• Surveillance
• Case investigation and management
• Prevention
• Maintaining essential services
• Research
• Implementation and revision
As an individual, you need to act now, to make sure you know how to avoid infection, recognize the symptoms of swine flu or any other pandemic protect your children, and get better if you become ill. Together we can prepare and avoid such deadly flu.
About the Author
Pandemic planning is necessary to avoid the deadly flu and the ill effects that are being felt worldwide from H1N1.
H1N1 Swine Flu Emergency Preparedness Conference FEMA and Citzen Corps? Pt 3
