Pandemic Influenza
Pandemic
influenza is influenza that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of
serious illness that spreads easily from person to person. Pandemics of
influenza have occurred three to four times each century, for unknown
reasons, following the emergence of a new strain of the influenza
virus. Since people have little or no protection against the new strain
it can spread rapidly around the world, causing a pandemic. The last three pandemics
occurred in 1918–19, 1957–58 and 1968–69.
In May 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic of H1N1 influenza (human swine flu). This influenza was not the same as seasonal influenza, though its symptoms were similar. It therefore required a separate vaccine for 2009-2010.
In May 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic of H1N1 influenza (human swine flu). This influenza was not the same as seasonal influenza, though its symptoms were similar. It therefore required a separate vaccine for 2009-2010.