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The Risk Influenza, or the "flu", is a common respiratory illness that many Canadians come into contact with every year. Small amounts of the virus are present in contaminated droplets that are spread by coughs and sneezes from an infected person. People become infected by breathing in these droplets while they are still suspended in the air, or if they touch a contaminated surface that the droplets have landed on and then touch their mouth or rub their eyes. |
The Common Flu
Different strains of the influenza virus circulate around the world each year, infecting millions of people. These flu virus strains are very similar to each other. Our immune system recognizes them and mounts a strong response to fight off the virus. Most people experience various flu symptoms and then recover within five to ten days.
However, the flu can lead to serious pneumonia and even death in some vulnerable groups, such as the very young, the elderly, and people whose health is already compromised by other medical conditions. For more information on the seasonal flu, click here to visit the SMDHU information page.
Pandemic Influenza - How is it different?
In recent years, concern has been raised about a possible worldwide influenza pandemic. An influenza pandemic could occur if a brand new strain (type) of the virus were to develop. To produce a global pandemic, the new strain would need to change significantly so that people would have little or no natural immunity to it. However, it would also still have to be able to spread rapidly from person to person.
Historically, there have been three recognized influenza pandemics in the last 100 years: the Hong Kong flu (1968); the Asian Flu (1957); and the Spanish Flu (1918). The Spanish Flu of 1918 spread rapidly around the world and it is estimated that it contributed to the deaths of 50 million people.
When, or even if, an influenza pandemic will occur is difficult to predict because it depends on the appearance of a new and different strain of the virus. This depends on random, genetic mutations. Since the virus will be new to humans, a vaccine will take time to develop once the virus has been identified.
Be Prepared
The public can help reduce the spread of a flu virus by following everyday good hygiene practices.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect shared surfaces (especially in the kitchen and washrooms).
- Stay at home if you are sick to avoid infecting others.
- Get your annual flu shot.
Pandemic influenza is unpredictable. The Simcoe Muskoka Health Sector Emergency Planning Committee (SMHSEPC) has developed a Pandemic Influenza Plan to address issues that may arise during an influenza outbreak.
Click here to access the SMHSEPC Pandemic Influenza Plan.
For more information, follow these links:
SMDHU: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/Pandemic/introduction.asp?NAV=PIP
Government of Canada - Pandemic Influenza: www.pandemicinfluenza.gc.ca
Canadian Health Agency - Influenza: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/pandemic-eng.php
