What you should know about Pandemic Influenza

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

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 Huron County be affected? How will Huron County be affected? What are people doing to prepare for pandemic? What are people doing to prepare for pandemic? What can I do to protect myself? What can I do to protect myself?

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)

Progress of a pandemic

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 anti-bodies to the “old” flu virus won’t be immune to the new one People who have anti-bodies to the “old” flu virus won’t be immune to the new one

INFLUENZA VIRUS Neuraminidase (N) Hemagglutinin (H)

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

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

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

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

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

ANSWER: B.Pandemic flu Ordinary flu is usually around from November to April, then stops. Pandemic flu won’t just happen in the winter.

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

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.

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

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

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

ANSWER: 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.

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

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.

How will Huron County 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 early on No vaccine available early on Limited amount of anti-viral drugs available early on Limited amount of anti-viral drugs available early on

How will Huron County 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 22,000 people About 22,000 people ½ of those people will require medical attention (need to see their doctor, walk-in clinic) ½ of those people will require medical attention (need to see their doctor, walk-in clinic) About 11,000 people About 11,000 people Between 112 – 348 people will need to be hospitalized Between 112 – 348 people will need to be hospitalized Between 44 and 107 people will die Between 44 and 107 people will die Based on 2006 Ministry of Health estimates

How will Huron County 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

What is the health care system doing to prepare? Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan Ontario Pandemic Influenza Plan Huron County Health Unit Pandemic Influenza Plan Huron County Emergency Plan Personal Emergency Plans for people living in Huron County Huron County Businesses Emergency / Pandemic Plans Huron County Health Providers Pandemic Plan(s)

How can I protect myself from pandemic flu? Make a habit of good hand-washing Make a habit of good hand-washing Cover your sneeze / cough Cover your sneeze / cough Get a flu vaccine every year Get a flu vaccine every year Stay home if you’re sick Stay home if you’re sick Avoid large crowds when the pandemic comes Avoid large crowds when the pandemic comes Stay informed Stay informed

Stay Informed Web-Sites 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 Public Health Agency of Canada Website Public Health Agency of Canada Website Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website - Website - Hotline CDC-INFO ( ) Hotline CDC-INFO ( ) World Health Organization Website World Health Organization Website

Stay Informed Free telephone advice Telehealth Ontario Telehealth Ontario Ministry Infoline Ministry Infoline Health Care Providers Hotline Health Care Providers Hotline

Any Questions? October 20, 2006 For more info contact Huron County Health Unit 77722B London Rd, RR#5, Clinton, ON, N0M 1L or