What you should know about Pandemic Influenza

1. What you should know about Pandemic Influenza Adapted from Huron County Health Unit

2. “DON’T YOU THINK YOU’RE TAKING THIS INFLUENZA TOO SERIOUSLY?”

3. What we’ll cover: • What is pandemic influenza & how does it start? • What’s the difference between the ordinary flu and pandemic flu? • How will LGL Counties be affected? • What are people doing to prepare for pandemic? • What can I do to protect/prepare myself?

4. What is a “pandemic”? • It’s about scope – world-wide epidemic • Spreads easily & quickly • Across many regions / countries of the world • Affects a large percentage of people where it hits • Often the effects are more severe than usual (makes people more severely ill, more deaths)

5. Progress of a pandemic

6. Progress of a pandemic

7. Progress of a pandemic

8. How does a pandemic start? • The influenza virus changes every year • Flu viruses multiply when they infect the host (people, birds, pigs) • It often “makes mistakes” – creating a new virus • This “new” virus sometimes spreads more easily or can cause more severe illness • People who have antibodies to the “old” flu virus won’t be immune to the new one

9. INFLUENZA VIRUS Neuraminidase (N) Hemagglutinin (H)

10. What’s the differencebetween ordinary fluand pandemic flu?

11. Happens ever year. A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:

12. ANSWER: A. Ordinary flu Pandemic Flu happens only 2 or 3 times a century.

13. 20th Century Flu Strains & Pandemics 1918: “Spanish Flu” 1957: “Asian Flu” 1968: “Hong Kong Flu” H3N2 H2N2 H1N1 H1N1 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

14. Usually comes in 2 or 3 waves, several months apart. Each wave lasts 2 – 3 months. A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:

15. ANSWER: B. Pandemic flu Ordinary flu usually occurs each year from November to April, then stops. Pandemic flu could happen any time of year.

16. About 10% of people get sick. A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:

17. ANSWER: A. Ordinary flu About 10% of people in Ontario get the ordinary flu every year. About 35% of people in Ontario might get pandemic flu over the course of an outbreak.

18. Is hardest on the very old, the very young and people with certain chronic illnesses. A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:

19. ANSWER: A. Ordinary flu In pandemic flu, people of any age may become seriously ill, depending on the virus.

20. Has drugs that people can take to treat the flu. A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:

21. ANSWER: A. Ordinary flu Anti-viral drugs (like Tamiflu) are used to treat people with the flu. They may or may not be effective against pandemic flu.

22. Has no vaccine A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:

23. ANSWER: B. Pandemic flu There won’t be a vaccine for pandemic flu until after it happens. We need to know what the pandemic virus looks like to develop a vaccine.

24. How will LGL Counties be affected? • Impossible to give absolute numbers • Planning estimates are based on: • A new virus that spreads easily • A new virus that causes more severe illness than regular flu • No vaccine available for 4 to 6 months • Limited amount of anti-viral drugs available

25. How will LGL Counties be affected? • 35% of people will get sick (worst case scenario) with the flu • About 59,674 people • About ½ of those people will require medical attention (need to see their doctor, walk-in clinic, flu centre) • About 31,733 people • Between 374 and 1,157 people will need to be hospitalized • Between 113 and 293 people will die Based on 2006 Ministry of Health estimates

26. How will LGL Counties be affected? • Pandemic flu will spread quickly • Many people will miss work (perhaps as many as 1/3) • There will be a large demand for medical services • There may be shortages of supplies, services – for individuals and businesses • Many businesses may close or provide only essential services • Public Health may restrict or cancel public gatherings

27. What is the health care system doing to prepare? Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan Ontario Pandemic Influenza Plan LGL Tri-County Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic Town / Municipalities Emergency Plans Leeds, Grenville, & Lanark District Health Unit Pandemic Influenza Plan LGL Health Care Providers & Businesses Emergency / Pandemic Plans Personal Emergency Plans for people living in LGL Counties

28. How can I prepare for pandemic flu? • Get informed and stay informed • Think about your daily routines – have backup plans • Prepare a supply of water, food and medicine at home • Keep useful #’s and health info handy (check out www.pandemic.cpha.ca) • Share your ideas

29. How can I protect myself from pandemic flu? • Make a habit of good hand cleaning -- Try not to touch your nose, mouth and eyes • Cover your sneeze / cough • Get a flu shot every year • Stay home if you’re sick and learn how to treat the flu at home • Know when to get medical help

30. Stay Informed Web-Sites • LGL District Health Unit www.healthunit.org • Influenza Bulletins and fact sheets • Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Website • www.health.gov.on.ca • Public Health Agency of Canada Website • www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/new_e.html • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • Website - www.cdc.gov • World Health Organization Website • www.who.int

31. Stay Informed Free telephone advice • Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000 • Ministry Infoline 1-800-268-1154 • Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit toll free # 1-800-660-5853

32. Any Questions? For more info, contact:Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit458 Laurier Blvd., Brockville, ON K6V 7A3613 345-5685 or 1 800 660-5853 www.healthunit.org Adapted from Huron County Health Unit