2. Adapted from Huron County Health Unit What you should know about Pandemic Influenza

3. “DON’T YOU THINK YOU’RE TAKING THIS INFLUENZA TOO SERIOUSLY?”

4. What we’ll cover: What is pandemic influenza & how does it start? What is pandemic influenza & how does it start? What’s the difference between the ordinary flu and pandemic flu? What’s the difference between the ordinary flu and pandemic flu? How will LGL Counties be affected? How will LGL Counties be affected? What are people doing to prepare for pandemic? What are people doing to prepare for pandemic? What can I do to protect/prepare myself? What can I do to protect/prepare myself?

5. What is a “pandemic”? It’s about scope – world-wide epidemic It’s about scope – world-wide epidemic Spreads easily & quickly Spreads easily & quickly Across many regions / countries of the world Across many regions / countries of the world Affects a large percentage of people where it hits Affects a large percentage of people where it hits Often the effects are more severe than usual (makes people more severely ill, more deaths) Often the effects are more severe than usual (makes people more severely ill, more deaths)

6. Progress of a pandemic

9. How does a pandemic start? The influenza virus changes every year The influenza virus changes every year Flu viruses multiply when they infect the host (people, birds, pigs) Flu viruses multiply when they infect the host (people, birds, pigs) It often “makes mistakes” – creating a new virus It often “makes mistakes” – creating a new virus This “new” virus sometimes spreads more easily or can cause more severe illness This “new” virus sometimes spreads more easily or can cause more severe illness People who have antibodies to the “old” flu virus won’t be immune to the new one People who have antibodies to the “old” flu virus won’t be immune to the new one

10. INFLUENZA VIRUS Neuraminidase (N) Hemagglutinin (H)

11. What’s the difference between ordinary flu and pandemic flu?

12. This kind of flu: Happens ever year. A.Ordinary Flu B.Pandemic Flu

13. ANSWER: A.Ordinary flu Pandemic Flu happens only 2 or 3 times a century.

14. 20 th Century Flu Strains & Pandemics 19201940196019802000 H1N1 H2N2 H3N2 1918: “Spanish Flu”1957: “Asian Flu”1968: “Hong Kong Flu”

15. This kind of flu: Usually comes in 2 or 3 waves, several months apart. Each wave lasts 2 – 3 months. A.Ordinary Flu B.Pandemic Flu

16. ANSWER: B.Pandemic flu Ordinary flu usually occurs each year from November to April, then stops. Pandemic flu could happen any time of year.

17. This kind of flu: About 10% of people get sick. A.Ordinary Flu B.Pandemic Flu

18. ANSWER: A.Ordinary flu About 10% of people in Ontario get the ordinary flu every year. About 35% of people in Ontario might get pandemic flu over the course of an outbreak.

19. This kind of flu: Is hardest on the very old, the very young and people with certain chronic illnesses. A.Ordinary Flu B.Pandemic Flu

20. ANSWER: A.Ordinary flu In pandemic flu, people of any age may become seriously ill, depending on the virus.

21. This kind of flu: Has drugs that people can take to treat the flu. A.Ordinary Flu B.Pandemic Flu

22. A.Ordinary flu Anti-viral drugs (like Tamiflu) are used to treat people with the flu. They may or may not be effective against pandemic flu. ANSWER:

23. This kind of flu: Has no vaccine A.Ordinary Flu B.Pandemic Flu

24. ANSWER: B.Pandemic flu There won’t be a vaccine for pandemic flu until after it happens. We need to know what the pandemic virus looks like to develop a vaccine.

25. How will LGL Counties be affected? Impossible to give absolute numbers Impossible to give absolute numbers Planning estimates are based on: Planning estimates are based on: A new virus that spreads easily A new virus that spreads easily A new virus that causes more severe illness than regular flu A new virus that causes more severe illness than regular flu No vaccine available for 4 to 6 months No vaccine available for 4 to 6 months Limited amount of anti-viral drugs available Limited amount of anti-viral drugs available

26. How will LGL Counties be affected? 35% of people will get sick (worst case scenario) with the flu 35% of people will get sick (worst case scenario) with the flu About 59,674 people About 59,674 people About ½ of those people will require medical attention (need to see their doctor, walk-in clinic, flu centre) About ½ of those people will require medical attention (need to see their doctor, walk-in clinic, flu centre) About 31,733 people About 31,733 people Between 374 and 1,157 people will need to be hospitalized Between 374 and 1,157 people will need to be hospitalized Between 113 and 293 people will die Between 113 and 293 people will die Based on 2006 Ministry of Health estimates

27. How will LGL Counties be affected? Pandemic flu will spread quickly Pandemic flu will spread quickly Many people will miss work (perhaps as many as 1/3) Many people will miss work (perhaps as many as 1/3) There will be a large demand for medical services There will be a large demand for medical services There may be shortages of supplies, services – for individuals and businesses There may be shortages of supplies, services – for individuals and businesses Many businesses may close or provide only essential services Many businesses may close or provide only essential services Public Health may restrict or cancel public gatherings Public Health may restrict or cancel public gatherings

28. What is the health care system doing to prepare? Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan Ontario Pandemic Influenza Plan LGL Tri-County Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic Town / Municipalities Emergency Plans Personal Emergency Plans for people living in LGL Counties LGL Health Care Providers & Businesses Emergency / Pandemic Plans Leeds, Grenville, & Lanark District Health Unit Pandemic Influenza Plan

29. How can I prepare for pandemic flu? Get informed and stay informed Get informed and stay informed Think about your daily routines – have backup plans Think about your daily routines – have backup plans Prepare a supply of water, food and medicine at home Prepare a supply of water, food and medicine at home Keep useful #’s and health info handy (check out www.pandemic.cpha.ca) Keep useful #’s and health info handy (check out www.pandemic.cpha.ca) Share your ideas Share your ideas

30. How can I protect myself from pandemic flu? Make a habit of good hand cleaning -- Try not to touch your nose, mouth and eyes Make a habit of good hand cleaning -- Try not to touch your nose, mouth and eyes Cover your sneeze / cough Cover your sneeze / cough Get a flu shot every year Get a flu shot every year Stay home if you’re sick and learn how to treat the flu at home Stay home if you’re sick and learn how to treat the flu at home Know when to get medical help Know when to get medical help

31. Stay Informed Web-Sites LGL District Health Unit www.healthunit.org LGL District Health Unit www.healthunit.orgwww.healthunit.org Influenza Bulletins and fact sheets Influenza Bulletins and fact sheets Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Website Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Website www.health.gov.on.ca www.health.gov.on.ca www.health.gov.on.ca Public Health Agency of Canada Website Public Health Agency of Canada Website www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/new_e.html www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/new_e.html www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/new_e.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website - www.cdc.gov Website - www.cdc.govwww.cdc.gov World Health Organization Website World Health Organization Website www.who.int www.who.int www.who.int

32. Stay Informed Free telephone advice Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000 Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000 Ministry Infoline1-800-268-1154 Ministry Infoline1-800-268-1154 Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit toll free #1-800-660-5853 Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit toll free #1-800-660-5853

33. Any Questions? For more info, contact: Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit 458 Laurier Blvd., Brockville, ON K6V 7A3 613 345-5685 or 1 800 660-5853 www.healthunit.org Adapted from Huron County Health Unit