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Pandemic Influenza (PI) and
Avian Influenza (AI)


Background

This web page includes general information for the public on Pandemic Influenza and Avian Influenza. There is also a password protected section for members of the emergency management community designed for sharing information with its members.

Description of Pandemic Influenza: Influenza, also know as the flu, is a disease that attacks the respiratory system (nose, throat, and lungs) in humans. Seasonal influenza is a yearly occurrence that causes minor economic impact and kills primarily people aged 65 and older. It also provides immunity to those who are exposed, but do not succumb, to the disease. World-wide pandemics of influenza occur when a “novel” (new or different) influenza virus emerges to which the population has little immunity. The 1918 Spanish Influenza is an example of such a pandemic. The impact of an actual pandemic cannot be predicted precisely, as it will depend on the virulence of the virus, how rapidly it spreads, the availability of vaccines and antivirals, and the effectiveness of medical and non-medical containment measures.

Discussion of Avian Influenza and Its Potential as a Pandemic Influenza: Birds can also contract avian flu. Some strains of the avian flu are more virulent than others. Public health experts are currently concerned about the risk of a pandemic, arising from the current epidemic of avian influenza that has been affecting domestic and wild birds in Asia and spreading to other parts of the world. People who have very close contact with infected birds ( for example, people who live with chickens in their houses ) have contracted a virulent form of avian flu and there has been a significant death rate from this disease. Thus far, the avian flu virus has not mutated and has not demonstrated easy transmission from person to person. However, were the virus to mutate in a highly virulent form and become easily transmissible from person to person, then the public health community would be very concerned about the potential for a pandemic influenza outbreak. Such a pandemic could disrupt all aspects of society and severely affect the economy.

The key state agencies involved in PI and AI response planning are: