|
Seasonal Flu |
Pandemic Flu |
|
Outbreaks follow predictable seasonal patterns; occurs annually,
usually in winter, in temperate climates |
Occurs rarely (three times in 20th century - last in 1968) |
|
Usually some immunity built up from previous exposure |
No previous exposure; little or no pre-existing immunity |
|
Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications; the
very young, the elderly and those with certain underlying health
conditions at increased risk for serious complications |
Healthy people may be at increased risk for serious complications
|
|
Health systems can usually meet public and patient needs |
Health systems may be overwhelmed |
|
Vaccine developed based on known flu strains and available for
annual flu season |
Vaccine probably would not be available in the early stages of a
pandemic |
|
Adequate supplies of antivirals are usually available
|
Effective antivirals may be in limited supply |
|
Average U.S. deaths approximately 36,000/yr |
Number of deaths could be quite high (e.g., U.S. 1918 death toll
approximately 500,000) |
|
Symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain. Deaths often
caused by complications, such as pneumonia. |
Symptoms may be more severe and complications more frequent |
|
Generally causes modest impact on society (e.g., some school
closing, encouragement of people who are sick to stay home) |
May cause major impact on society (e.g. widespread restrictions
on travel, closings of schools and businesses, cancellation of large
public gatherings) |
|
Manageable impact on domestic and world economy |
Potential for severe impact on domestic and world economy |
