Pandemic flu
An influenza (flu) pandemic is currently being predicted by experts at the World Health Organization. The information on this page, and in the attached leaflet, describes pandemic flu, the risk of it occurring in this country, what makes it different from the 'ordinary' flu we get every winter, and what the UK is doing to prepare for a possible flu pandemic.
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Download the full information leaflet from NHS Direct from the PDF file below:
What is pandemic flu?
Pandemic flu is a type of influenza that occurs every few decades and which spreads rapidly to affect most countries around the world.
The symptoms of pandemic flu are similar to those of 'ordinary' flu but are usually more severe.
What is the difference between pandemic flu and ordinary flu?
Ordinary flu:
- Occurs every year during the winter
- Affects up to about 10% of the population
- For most people it is an unpleasant but not life-threatening infection
- The very young, the very old and people with certain chronic illnesses are most at risk of serious illness
- Annual vaccination is available for those at risk of serious illness
- Antiviral drugs are available to treat those at special risk.
Pandemic flu:
- There were three pandemics last century. Occurs sporadically at any time of the year
- May affect around 25% of the population
- It could be a more serious infection for everyone
- People of every age may be at risk of serious illness
- A vaccine won’t be available to start with - when it does become available the aim will be to immunise the whole population as rapidly as vaccine supplies come through
- Antiviral drugs are being stockpiled and will be used in the most effective way, according to how the disease develops.
How will a flu pandemic differ from an outbreak of ordinary flu?
It is difficult to say just how serious a pandemic will be. It depends on how easily the particular virus spreads, which age groups are affected most, the severity of the symptoms it produces, and how many deaths it causes.
A flu pandemic may occur in two waves several months apart, with each wave lasting about two to three months.
It is likely that pandemic flu will affect far more people than ‘ordinary’ flu. Around a quarter of the population may be affected by the end of the pandemic.
The vaccine against 'ordinary' flu will not protect against pandemic flu. But 'ordinary' flu can be serious so it is very important that everyone who is due an 'ordinary' flu jab has one.
Further information
Further information can be found at the following websites:
You can also call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
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