Pandemic Flu Citizen Engagement

Pandemic Flu Background

Health and emergency agencies across the region are preparing today to respond to an expected influenza pandemic. They are listening to influenza experts worldwide, including the World Health Organization, who warn of the inevitable emergence of a new, severe strain of the influenza virus against which we have no natural immunity.

Pandemics in the 20th century

Pandemic flu occurs three to four times per century, can take place in any season, and may come in “waves” of flu activity that could be separated by months. Experts predict an infection rate of 25 percent to 50 percent of the U.S. population. All age groups are at risk, with a mortality rate determined by the severity of the flu strain.

Three pandemics swept the globe in the last century: “Spanish influenza” in 1918, “Asian influenza” in 1957, and “Hong Kong influenza” in 1968. The 1918 pandemic, one of the deadliest disease events in human history, killed an estimated 40-50 million persons worldwide.

The next pandemic threat

Experts predict that a moderately severe flu pandemic could kill more than a half a million Americans, hospitalize more than two million, and cost the U.S. economy $70 billion to $160 billion. Experts expect pandemic influenza to cause substantial economic and social disruptions. A recent newsletter from the Mayo Clinic told readers to expect the following in the case of pandemic flu:

  • food shortages;
  • power outages;
  • overwhelmed hospital and clinics;
  • service disruptions at banks, government offices, and phone companies;
  • workplace and school closures; cancellation of worship and entertainment events; and
  • breakdowns of transportation networks and travel restrictions.

The pandemics of the 1900s circled the globe in six to nine months, even when most international travel was by ship. We know that, even with border closures and travel restrictions, the pandemic flu may be delayed but not stopped. Communities throughout the U.S. must, therefore, be prepared to take action to protect themselves.

How to protect our communities

While public health departments will be safeguarding public health at the community level, citizens will need to take action themselves to protect their health and the health of their loved ones. The Mayo Clinic newsletter suggested that readers prepare for the pandemic flu by taking actions such as:

  • preparing themselves mentally so they don’t panic;
  • stocking up on food and medical supplies;
  • making a plan for themselves, family members and pets;
  • finding out how their employer would deal with a pandemic; and
  • planning ahead to care for someone with the flu if medical facilities are unavailable.