Influenza pandemic
hideAn influenza pandemic is an epidemic of an influenza virus that spreads on a worldwide scale and infects a large proportion of the human population. In contrast to the regular seasonal epidemics of influenza, these pandemics occur irregularly, with the 1918 Spanish flu the most serious pandemic in recent history. Pandemics can cause high levels of mortality, with the Spanish influenza estimated as being responsible for the deaths of over 50 million people. There have been about three influenza pandemics in each century for the last 300 years. The most recent ones were the Asian Flu in 1957 and the Hong Kong Flu in 1968.
Influenza pandemics occur when a new strain of the influenza virus is transmitted to humans from another animal species. Species that are thought to be important in the emergence of new human strains are pigs, chickens and ducks. These novel strains are unaffected by any immunity people may have to older strains of human influenza and can therefore spread extremely rapidly and infect very large numbers of people. Influenza A viruses can occasionally be transmitted from wild birds to other species causing outbreaks in domestic poultry and may give rise to human influenza pandemics.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns[when?] that there is a substantial risk of an influenza pandemic within the next few years[when?]. One of the strongest candidates is a highly pathogenic variation of the H5N1 subtype of Influenza A virus. As of 2006, prepandemic influenza vaccines are being developed against the most likely suspects which include H5N1, H7N1, and H9N2. Certain scholars and senior policy advisors argue that pandemic influenza represents a substantive threat to the international economy, to each nation's national security, and a challenge to international governance.
On 11 June 2009, a new strain of H1N1 influenza was declared to be a global pandemic (Stage 6) by the World Health Organization after evidence of spreading in the southern hemisphere.
For more information about Influenza pandemic, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with pandemic flu
WHO: up to 2 billion people might get swine flu
May 07, 2009 |
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(AP) -- The World Health Organization says up to 2 billion people could be infected by swine flu, if the current outbreak turns into a pandemic.
Man-made crises 'outrunning our ability to deal with them,' scientists warn
Sep 11, 2009 |
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The world faces a compounding series of crises driven by human activity, which existing governments and institutions are increasingly powerless to cope with, a group of eminent environmental scientists and economists has ...
In pandemics of the past, caution for the future
May 24, 2009 |
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A novel flu circulated in some American cities in April and May of 1918, causing mild illness and going largely unnoticed. It returned in September, and again in January, eventually killing more than 500,000 people nationwide.
Six bad reactions to swine flu vaccine in Canada: official (Update)
Medicine & Health / Medications
Nov 24, 2009 |
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Six severe allergic reactions to swine flu vaccinations have been observed in Canada, health authorities said Tuesday, adding that all of the individuals are feeling better.
Swine flu sweeping world at 'unprecedented speed': WHO
Jul 17, 2009 |
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Swine flu has swept the globe at "unprecedented speed," the World Health Organisation said Friday, as a study warned the pandemic could tip the world into deflation and delay the economic recovery.
H1N1 pandemic virus does not mutate into 'superbug' in new lab study
Sep 01, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- A laboratory study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that some of the worst fears about a virulent H1N1 pandemic flu season may not be realized this year, but does demonstrate ...
Fear, anger and fatalism over swine flu in Mexico
Apr 25, 2009 |
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(AP) -- The schools and museums are closed. Sold-out games between Mexico's most popular soccer teams are being played in empty stadiums. Health workers are ordering sickly passengers off subways and buses. ...
Scientist warns over pandemic flu vaccine 6-month time lag
Apr 27, 2009 |
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New research published today (Monday April 27) from the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust warns of a six-month time lag before effective vaccines can be manufactured in the event of a ...
Vaccines on horizon for AIDS, Alzheimer's, herpes
Medicine & Health / Medications
Nov 17, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Malaria. Tuberculosis. Alzheimer's disease. AIDS. Pandemic flu. Genital herpes. Urinary tract infections. Grass allergies. Traveler's diarrhea. You name it, the pharmaceutical industry is working ...
No evidence to raise pandemic flu alert level to phase six: WHO + Latest snapshot of swine flu crisis
Apr 30, 2009 |
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The World Health Organisation on Thursday said there was no evidence to suggest that it should raise a pandemic flu alert from phase five to the highest level of six.
WHO consults emergency flu committee
Jun 05, 2009 |
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The World Health Organisation on Friday began consulting its emergency committee of flu experts on the severity of the swine flu virus and possible travel recommendations.
Penn animal study identifies new DNA weapon against avian flu
Jul 01, 2008 |
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Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a potential new way to vaccinate against avian flu. By delivering vaccine via DNA constructed to build antigens against flu, along with a minute ...
Study outlines measures to limit effects of pandemic flu on nursing homes
Jul 21, 2008 |
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The greatest danger in a pandemic flu outbreak is that it could spread quickly and devastate a broad swath of people across the United States before there is much of a chance to react. The result could be a nation brought ...
Pneumococcal vaccine could prevent numerous deaths, save costs during a flu pandemic, model predicts
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Oct 28, 2008 |
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A new predictive model shows that vaccinating infants with 7 valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7)--the current recommendation--not only saves lives and money during a normal flu season by preventing related bacterial ...
Swine flu virus starting to look less threatening
May 01, 2009 |
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(AP) -- The swine flu virus that has frightened the world is beginning to look a little less ominous. New York City officials reported Friday that the swine flu still has not spread beyond a few schools. ...
