Pandemic influenza
There are many different types of influenza. Influenza is a highly contagious disease, spread by
- droplets that may hang in the air for hours after someone coughs or sneezes
- contaminated surfaces
- direct contact such as shaking hands or kissing
Seasonal influenza, the flu that goes around every year, is something that we are all familiar with. About 10% to 25% of Canadians get sick (chills, fever, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches) with the flu each year, and about 4,000 to 8,000 very vulnerable people (mostly seniors) may die from flu-related pneumonia or other complications. (source)
Pandemic influenza, an influenza epidemic that spreads quickly around the world, puts millions of normally healthy people at risk of severe illness or death. When a new strain if influenza develops, it spreads rapidly because the population has not had time to develop an immunity to the new virus.
In the past, pandemic influenza has struck on average each 30 years. However, none has struck since 1968, leaving experts certain that a new outbreak is imminent. They consider avian influenza (or "bird flu", also known as the H5N1 virus) a likely candidate for the next major pandemic. While few people have caught this virus (spread by birds), it has had a mortality rate of over 60%. While the first vaccine has been approved by the US FDA, there are no immediate plans to distribute it to the general public.
More information
The Canadian government has a pandemic influenza portal which links to general information about the different types of influenza, and the related activities and programs of the Government of Canada. Consult your healthcare practitioner about the appropriate care (your own or that of a family member). However, if you have specific questions or comments about avian, seasonal, or pandemic flu, you can call the government hotline at 1-800-454-8302 or send them an send an e-mail.
A number of agencies have produced resources about the seasonal flu, including:
- Consumer Health Information Service, Toronto Public Library Cold and influenza season: preventing and coping with colds and flus blog post (October 2008)
- Canadian Medical Association Influenza
- Health Canada. It's your health: Influenza (the "flu")
- US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal flu website: offers updated information on the seasonal flu, linking to information about other types of flu
- Johns Hopkins Medicine Seasonal influenza
A number of agencies have produced resources about the pandemic flu, including:
- Canada. Pandemic influenza website.
- Canada. Public Health Agency. Understanding pandemic influenza.
- US. Dept of Health and Human Services. Pandemic influenza website.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine Pandemic influenza
A number of agencies have produced resources about the bird flu, including:
- Canada. Safe Canada. Avian flu resource page: Brings together resources from across the country (January 2009)
- Canada. Health Canada. It's your health: Avian influenza (bird flu).
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- Avian influenza (July 2006)
- Avian influenza viruses (July 2007)
- Avian influenza: Routes of transmission (April 2007)
- Latest news (frequent updates)
- Canada. Foreign Affairs.
- Avian influenza: Advice for travellers (May 2008)
- Avian influenza: Questions and Answers (January 13, 2009)
- US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avian flu website.
Pandemic preparation
Planning: Things to prepare
Emergency contact information
Know the plan
North American Plan for Avian & Pandemic Influenza
Pandemic Preparedness - Info Source - SafeCanada.ca
Pandemic planning for health officials
The World Health Organization Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) plan defines a number of phases through which a pandemic moves. The Canadian plan follows this international defintion, published by the government of Canada as the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan. Each province is required to have a provincial plan. The plan for the province of Ontario is the Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic.
The city of Toronto has a Public Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic. Many Ontario municipalities publish similar plans on their websites.
Toronto also publishes information intended for groups such as businesses, schools and daycares, funeral homes, homeless shelters, etc. It also publishes answers frequently-asked questions about transmission and prevention of pandemic influenza.
Make your own plans
Prevention: How to not get it
General precautions
Here are some of the steps you can take to protect yourself from avian influenza:
- Before and after handling raw poultry or eggs, wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
- To keep the raw poultry juices from contaminating other foods, clean off cutting boards and other utensils with soap and hot water
- Cook poultry to at least 165º F
- Cook eggs until whites and yolks are firm
- Avoid exposure to flocks of either wild or domesticated birds which could be harboring the avian influenza virus
Toronto Public Health has Stop the Spread of Germs infection control fact sheets and posters available in 13 languages. These posters and fact sheets address the ways the flu is spread in the poplulation: coughing, sneezing, hand-washing and hand-sanitizing. This page also provides information about influenza and research updates on influenza and SARS.
A Quick Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Bird (Pandemic) Flu - Leduc
Avian Flu Precautions - Quebec
Community flu centres
In Toronto, flu vaccination clinics are open October 27 to December 13, 2008, and again January 5-8, 2009.
Mass vaccination clinics and antiviral medications
Hand washing
Toronto Public Health
Hand sanitizing
Coughing and sneezing safely
To prevent spreading the virus to others, Toronto Public Health also recommends coughing and sneezing into your sleeve, which keeps the germs off your hands and reduces the chances of contaminating others.
How to use a mask
Where to find more information
Treatment: What to do if you do get it
Coping with a pandemic
US Pandemic information storybook: These heartfelt stories, told by survivors, family members, and friends from past pandemics, serve as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact that influenza can have.
US The Great Pandemic: The United States in 1918-19: The Influenza Pandemic occurred in three waves in the United States throughout 1918-1919. Learn about the pandemic, the Nation’s health, the medical care system, and how they were affected.
Stress
Death and grieving - Susan
Grief is a natural, emotional reaction to a major loss, such as the death of a loved one.
A Parents’ Guide to Helping Families Cope with a Pandemic Flu, November 2008 http://www.nctsnet.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/Pandemic_Flu_Factsheet.pdf
Pandemic Flu Grief and Bereavement Project, Annotated Literature Review, May 2008
http://www.hpcanys.org/pdfs/Annotated_Bibliography.pdf
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-pandemic recovery
These plans have not yet been elaborated.
