Pandemic Information

This web page includes general information on Pandemic Influenza and Avian Influenza. It also provides a number of resources for individuals, businesses and organizations to prepare for a possible pandemic.

Description of Pandemic Influenza: Influenza, also known 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. Worldwide pandemics of influenza occur when a 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.

Pandemic Influenza Websites:

• General and constantly updated information: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
  
• Ventura County Public Health Department: http://www.vchca.org
  
• American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org
  
• Plans and documents National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), May 2006 http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influenza-implementation.html
  
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan, California Department of Health Services (CDHS), January 2006 http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/dcdc/dcdcindex.htm
  
• Information from the California Department of Food and Agriculture: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/Avian_Influenza.htm
  
• Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm
  
• Information from the California Department of Fish and Game http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/avianflu/
  
• Information from the California Veterinary Medical Association http://www.cvma.net/doc.asp?ID=2655

Pandemic Influenza Downloads:

• Pandemic Flu Pocket Guide English PDF or Spanish PDF (PDF)
• Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families (PDF)
• Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Businesses (PDF)
• Pandemic Flu Presentation from the Ventura County Public Health Department (PDF)