Influenza pandemic

Influenza pandemics are defined as large outbreaks of influenza viruses, which spread widely and affect a large number of people. An influenza pandemic may stem from an animal species. Pigs, chickens and ducks have all been linked to flu outbreaks. Flu viruses found among these animals can be passed onto humans when they have close contact with an animal. They may be handling them as livestock or preparing them as food. In some cases the virus will then mutate over time to a more serious form, which can be passed from human to human. This is what happened with the swine flu pandemic that broke out in 2009.

Influenza pandemics in history

Influenza pandemics are natural occurrences that have happened throughout history. The most serious in recent history is the Spanish influenza outbreak of 1918. Spanish influenza killed more than 50 million people. There have been around 3 influenza pandemics in each century for the last 300 years. Experts are constantly trying to gain a better understanding of influenza pandemics. By tracking flu trends around the world, they hope to reach a stage where they are better prepared to deal with influenza pandemics in the future.

Controlling an influenza pandemic

Controlling an influenza pandemic is not easy. However, governments do have some tools at their disposal. The most important of these is vaccinations. Vaccines against flu work by introducing a small amount of a virus into people's bodies. In doing so, they prepare those people's immune systems for dealing with the virus. When put into contact with large doses of that flu strain in the future, those people's bodies will be equipped to fight the illness off. Many vaccines have been developed for recent strains of influenza, including swine flu and avian flu. Governments particularly encourage vulnerable people to have these vaccines. These vulnerable people include elderly people, young children, pregnant women and people with pre-existing health conditions which could leave their immune system vulnerable. At the same time, flu vaccines may be recommended to the population at large, particularly if a flu strain has become very common.

Another weapon that governments have used to stem outbreaks of the flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is an oral medication that prevents flu cells replicating within the body. This allows people to recover 30% faster, if they take the drug within 48 hours of showing flu symptoms. Because Tamiflu makes people less infectious, it can help to prevent flu spreading between large populations. Many governments have begun to stockpile courses of Tamiflu in anticipation of a flu outbreak.

If you want to know the latest about flu pandemics in your country, you can check on the World Health Organisation website. Alternatively you can get in touch with your national health service to find out how to be prepared for any outbreaks.