Flu Pandemic Information
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is distinguished by its scope. It becomes a worldwide epidemic, or pandemic, when a disease spreads easily and rapidly through many countries and regions of the world and affects a large percentage of the population where it spreads.
How does a flu pandemic start?
The viruses that cause flu are constantly changing. A pandemic starts when a new strain of flu virus emerges that is different from common strains of flu. Because people have no immunity to the new virus, it can spread quickly and infect hundreds of thousands of people. Pandemic flu strains often develop when an animal or bird virus mixes with human virus to form a new virus.
What is the contagious period?
Flu can be contagious for 24 to 48 hours before any symptoms arise and for five days after the onset of symptoms. This means you could spread the virus without knowing you are infected.
What is the difference between ordinary flu and pandemic flu?
A pandemic flu can appear very similar to seasonal flu. Because people have little or no immunity to a pandemic flu virus, the spread of the disease can occur more quickly than with an ordinary flu.
Will Ontario be affected?
Yes. A flu pandemic is likely to spread into all parts of the world including Ontario.
What will happen if a flu pandemic hits Ontario?
Once a pandemic flu virus arrives in Ontario, it will likely spread quickly. Many people will become ill, and there will be a lot of pressure on our health care services. We cannot predict just how Ontario will be affected until we know how strong the virus is.
Who is most at risk?
We are all at risk of getting a pandemic flu virus. Pandemic flu will spread more quickly than ordinary flu because very few Ontarians will be immune. Some groups of people such as the very young or the very old may be at greater risk than others. of getting seriously ill or dying. We will not know for certain who will be most at risk until we know more about the virus.
How can I protect myself and my family from a flu pandemic?
If a flu pandemic spreads to Ontario, you can reduce your risk by doing the same things you do to protect yourself and family from ordinary flu:
- Get your flu shot every year - the flu shot will not protect you from a pandemic flu virus, but it will protect you from getting ordinary flu, which could weaken your immune system or resistance to the pandemic flu.
- Wash your hands with soap thoroughly and often.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Follow any instructions given by public health officials.
What is the health system doing to protect us from a pandemic?
The Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with local public health units, primary care providers, hospitals, long-term care homes, and home care providers - all parts of the health care system - to prepare for a flu pandemic.
For further information:
INFOline 1-866-801-7242
www.health.gov.on.ca/pandemic
