Pandemic Influenza - Know The Risks

Information Supplied by Public Health Canada

A pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of a specific disease which affects a large proportion of the population. The federal, provincial and territorial governments in Canada are working on pandemic preparedness, and many municipalities, companies and health care facilities also have plans in place. Although there is no need to panic, it is a good idea for Canadian families to take steps that will help them respond, if necessary, to a flu pandemic, as well as other emergency situations.

Influenza or the flu is a common, infectious respiratory disease that begins in your nose and throat. It is highly contagious and spreads rapidly from person to person.

About H1N1 Flu Virus

Swine influenza viruses do not normally infect humans. From time to time, human infections do occur, resulting in H1N1 flu virus. H1N1 flu virus is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal influenza.

Human influenza

or the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Strains circulate every year, making people sick. Influenza typically starts with a headache, chills and cough, followed rapidly by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children.
Most people will recover from influenza within a week or ten days, but some - including those over 65 and adults and children with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cancer - are at greater risk of more severe complications, such as pneumonia. Between 2 000 and 8 000 Canadians can die of influenza and its complications annually, depending on the severity of the season.

Bird Flu

Birds and other animals, including pigs, also contract and transmit influenza. Wild birds, in particular, are natural carriers of influenza A viruses. They have carried animal influenza viruses, with no apparent harm, for centuries. Migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese) are known to carry viruses of the H5 and H7 strains or subtypes. These viruses are usually in the low pathogenic form - in other words, they aren't as deadly to birds as highly pathogenic strains.

Currently, avian influenza H5N1 is circulating in Asia, Europe, and Africa, infecting many poultry populations and some humans. This strain is highly pathogenic, or highly deadly to birds, and has infected a limited number of people. There is no evidence this virus is transmitted from person to person.

To see where the flu is active in Canada, visit FluWatch. FluWatch produces weekly surveillance reports from October to May in collaboration with provincial and territorial ministries of health, participating laboratories, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and sentinel doctors.

Know The Risks

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