Change how menu appearsPANDEMIC FLU
What is Pandemic Flu?
Pandemic Flu is therefore influenza that spreads rapidly to affect most countries around the world. This is due to the emergence of a new flu virus, which is markedly different from the recently circulating varieties of flu virus. It is unlikely that anyone has any immunity to this new virus. It is this factor that allows it to spread widely, easily, and to cause more serious illness.
Flu pandemics can occur at any time of the year, unlike the 'ordinary' flu that occurs every winter in the UK.
The first flu pandemic was recorded in 1580 and since then there is evidence of flu pandemics occurring every 10 to 30 years.
There have been three flu pandemics in the last century:
| Type of flu | Age group most affected | Deaths worldwide | Deaths in the UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 / 1919 ‘Spanish Flu’ | Healthy young adults (20 - 50 years) | Approximately 20-40 million | 250,000 |
| 1957 / 1958 ‘Asian Flu’ | Very young and very old | Approximately 1 million | 33,000 |
| 1968 / 1969 ‘Hong Kong Flu' | Very old and those with underlying medical conditions | Approximately 1-4 million | 30,000 |
A serious pandemic is likely to affect as much as half of the world’s population and cause a significant number of deaths, disrupting the lives of many people and causing intense pressure on health and other services.
Nobody can predict when the next pandemic will happen. When it does, it may come in two or more waves several months apart. Each wave may last two to three months.
Each pandemic is different, and until the virus starts circulating, it will be impossible to predict the full effects.
What is the difference between 'Ordinary Flu’ and Pandemic flu?
| ‘Ordinary Flu’ | Pandemic Flu |
|---|---|
| Occurs every winter. | Can occur at any time of the year. |
| Affects up to about 10% of the population. | May affect about 50% or more of the population. |
| The very young, over 65 year olds are most at risk of serious illness. For the rest of the population, flu is unpleasant but not life threatening. | The illness may be more severe in some groups but it is difficult to predict a specific group. |
| A vaccine is available based on the currently circulating strains of flu virus. | A vaccine is unlikely to be available for at least 6 months after the start of the pandemic. |
| Anti-viral drugs are available to treat those at high risk. | Anti-viral drugs are in stock and will be used for treatment. |
Hand washing is an important part of ensuring that communicable diseases are not transmitted from person to person. For further information about handwashing please click on the following link to our Hand Washing Information page.
Page last updated on 2 January 2008
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