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What you should know about Pandemic Influenza. “DON’T YOU THINK YOU’RE TAKING THIS INFLUENZA TOO SERIOUSLY?”. 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 Huron County be affected?
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“DON’T YOU THINK YOU’RE TAKING THIS INFLUENZA TOO SERIOUSLY?”
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 Huron County be affected? • What are people doing to prepare for pandemic? • What can I do to protect myself?
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)
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 anti-bodies to the “old” flu virus won’t be immune to the new one
INFLUENZA VIRUS Neuraminidase (N) Hemagglutinin (H)
Happens ever year. A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:
ANSWER: A. Ordinary flu Pandemic Flu happens only 2 or 3 times a century.
20th Century Flu Strains & Pandemics 1918: “Spanish Flu” 1957: “Asian Flu” 1968: “Hong Kong Flu” H3N2 H2N2 H1N1 H1N1 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
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:
ANSWER: B. Pandemic flu Ordinary flu is usually around from November to April, then stops. Pandemic flu won’t just happen in the winter.
About 10% of people get sick. A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:
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.
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:
ANSWER: A. Ordinary flu In pandemic flu, people of any age may become seriously ill, depending on the virus.
Has drugs that people can take to treat the flu. A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:
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.
Has no vaccine A. Ordinary Flu B. Pandemic Flu This kind of flu:
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.
How will Huron County 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 early on • Limited amount of anti-viral drugs available early on
How will Huron County be affected? • 35% of people will get sick (worst case scenario) with the flu • About 22,000 people • ½ of those people will require medical attention (need to see their doctor, walk-in clinic) • About 11,000 people • Between 112 – 348 people will need to be hospitalized • Between 44 and 107 people will die Based on 2006 Ministry of Health estimates
How will Huron County 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
What is the health care system doing to prepare? Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan Ontario Pandemic Influenza Plan Huron County Health Unit Pandemic Influenza Plan Huron County Emergency Plan Huron County Health Providers Pandemic Plan(s) Huron County Businesses Emergency / Pandemic Plans Personal Emergency Plans for people living in Huron County
How can I protect myself from pandemic flu? • Make a habit of good hand-washing • Cover your sneeze / cough • Get a flu vaccine every year • Stay home if you’re sick • Avoid large crowds when the pandemic comes • Stay informed
Stay Informed Web-Sites • 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 • Hotline - 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) • World Health Organization Website • www.who.int
Stay Informed Free telephone advice • Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000 • Ministry Infoline 1-800-268-1154 • Health Care Providers Hotline 1-866-212-2272
Any Questions? October 20, 2006For more info contactHuron County Health Unit77722B London Rd, RR#5, Clinton, ON, N0M 1L0519-482-3416 or 877-837-6143