- What is the flu and how is it prevented?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. For more information, see www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.
- What’s an influenza pandemic?
An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide.
- What’s the difference between “pandemic flu” and the regular seasonal flu?
Pandemic flu is different from seasonal flu. A pandemic is caused by a strain of flu virus that is new or rare. Therefore, none of us have been exposed to it – as opposed to the regular seasonal flu that causes outbreaks every year. For more differences between pandemic and seasonal flu, see www.hhs.gov/flu/season_or_pandemic.html.
- What about avian flu?
Avian flu or “bird flu” normally infects birds, although these bird strains can sometimes infect small numbers of humans who come in close contact with them. Sometimes – not always – these bird strains can become more easily transmitted to people. If that happens, and the strain changes enough to become easily transmissible between people, it can result in a pandemic – a global circulation of a strain that really hasn’t been seen in people before.
- Is a pandemic inevitable?
Pandemics tend to occur every 10-40 years. Almost all experts say that an influenza pandemic is inevitable. Therefore, it is important that we prepare properly. While we haven't learned to prevent pandemics, our ability to treat influenza improves all the time.
- Has an influenza pandemic started?
No. There is no pandemic today.
- Why is there so much concern in the media?
Scientists know that pandemics have occured on a regular basis through history, and they are concerned that the avian influenza virus that is now found in Asia and some European countries (known as H5N1) could slightly change, or mutate, in a way that would allow it to pass easily from person-to-person.
- How many people will get sick in a pandemic?
There is no way to tell. Our ability to treat people improves constantly. But experts estimate that a quarter to a third of the population could be sick at one time.
- Is Maryland prepared for a pandemic?
We are more prepared than ever. Maryland has been working to prepare for a pandemic influenza outbreak since 1999. We were one of the first states to develop a pandemic influenza plan. However, we can always continue to improve preparations through better education of citizens, training of health care professionals, and medical innovation. Preparing for a pandemic is a big task that requires everyone’s participation.
- What can the average citizen do to get prepared for a flu pandemic?
First of all, educate yourself by talking with your personal doctor and by reading from this website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov. Educate your family. People can also start practicing simple but important preventive actions, such as hand-washing, covering your mouth with a tissue when you cough, and staying home from school or work if you’re sick.
- If I get the pandemic flu, is there a medicine to take?
Antiviral drugs may help prevent infection in people at risk and lessen the impact of symptoms in those infected with influenza. It is unlikely that they would substantially modify the course or effectively contain the spread of an influenza pandemic.
- Does Maryland have a stockpile of antiviral drugs?
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a supply of antiviral medications to share with Maryland and the other states. In a pandemic, even if existing antiviral drugs are effective on the new strain, demand for antiviral drugs will be high, which means that it will be necessary to take the other important steps to limit transmission of the virus. This includes good handwashing and respirtory hygiene. Other steps may include closing schools temporarily, encouraging people to work at home if possible and limiting large gatherings of people. Hospitals would take extra measures to isolate flu patients from healthy people.
- Will the annual flu vaccine protect people against pandemic influenza?
No, influenza vaccines are designed to protect against a specific virus, so a pandemic vaccine cannot be produced until a new pandemic influenza virus emerges and is identified. Even after a pandemic influenza virus has been identified, it could take at least 6 months to develop, test and produce vaccine.
- Are the media and the general public just overreacting?
It is good for many people to be concerned about the possibility of a pandemic so that we properly prepare ourselves. There is no way to know how severe a pandemic will be, but if we are prepared, we can minimize the effects of a pandemic.
- Are our hospitals ready for a pandemic of flu?
They are better prepared than ever. Contingency plans are in place in case they need more room for patients. Like everyone, hospitals need to continue to prepare and plan.
- In a pandemic, will sick people be asked to stay away from others?
Yes. People will be encouraged to stay away from school and work if they are sick. During flu season, you are less likely to get sick if you avoid gatherings of people, and the same would be true during a pandemic.
- Will the military be quarantining people in MD?
That probably won’t be necessary. There may be roles for the National Guard, such as helping with the surge on healthcare facilities, or even simple things like helping to deliver supplies.
- Will schools close if there is a pandemic?
It may be necessary to close schools to prevent the spread of the pandemic. If your child is ill, he or she should stay home from school. If hospitals run out of space, they may need schools and other buildings to handle the overflow of patients.
- Should I wear a mask?
There's really no science that says using a mask would be helpful during a pandemic. But there might be certain settings where it would be a reasonable thing to do. There are a few special settings where we KNOW a mask is important, like for healthcare workers who are taking care of really sick patients who have respiratory symptoms.
- Am I more likely to catch the flu if I attend meetings or sports events – places where there are crowds?
Crowds increase the risk of exposure to all viruses. Again, there is not a flu pandemic currently.
- Should the public be getting antiviral medications from private doctors now?
No. These drugs have to be stored properly and they have a relatively limited shelf life. Some people who are concerned might want to check with their provider to see if they should avoid a particular medication. But please remember -- when we’re talking about influenza, drugs are not necessarily the answer. We still need to remember to practice good hygiene measures such as frequent hand-washing, proper cough hygiene, and staying home from work/school when ill.
- Will the federal government be in charge during a pandemic?
A pandemic will require leadership and direction at all levels of government. While the federal government will play an important role, Maryland and other states are well prepared to handle a large-scale emergency like a pandemic. A pandemic is different from a natural disaster like a hurricane or a fire in several key respects. A pandemic will likely last longer (months) and a pandemic will affect many different areas at the same time.
- What will we do if the strain is resistant to antiviral medications?
This is a real possibility, so we have to be prepared to implement all of the other measures that will help control the spread of influenza, such as practicing good hygiene and limiting interactions between people.
- Is Maryland prepared to give out vaccine?
Yes. Part of the pandemic flu preparedness plan involves distributing vaccine. Health professionals have practiced these plans repeatedly. However, a pandemic vaccine cannot be produced until a new pandemic influenza virus emerges and is identified. Even after a pandemic influenza virus has been identified, it could take at least 6 months to develop, test and produce vaccine.
- Once a vaccine is available, who would get it first?
Initially, we will have limited supplies of a pandemic vaccine and it will need to go to those at highest risk of getting ill. We will work to get the vaccine to those groups.
- Can you get sick from eating chicken or other fowl?
You cannot get the flu from eating properly handled and cooked chicken, turkey or other fowl. Avian influenza is caused by a virus that is destroyed by the heat of normal cooking (minimum of 160 °F). Remember to wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after handling raw poultry. For more preparation information, see www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Chicken_Food_Safety_Focus/index.asp.
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I am a hunter and read that waterfowl could carry avian influenza.
Should I be concerned and stop goose and duck hunting?
No. Avian
influenza naturally occurs in waterfowl and other wild birds. However, most of
the naturally occurring influenza viruses found in wild birds aren't
transmissible to humans. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources regularly
tests waterfowl and water birds in Maryland. All tests for H5N1 have been
negative.
- These additional websites might also help answer questions you may have about the flu
