MU Environmental Health and Safety: Pandemic Flu FAQ

Pandemic Flu Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: EHS encourages you to visit the "Ask Dr. C" site for H1N1 flu questions and answers. If you find conflicting information on this and other web sites, please contact EHS.

1. Flu Terms Defined
2. What is an Influenza Pandemic?
3. Will the seasonal influenza vaccine in fall 2009 protect me from the pandemic H1N1 flu?
4. What are pandemic alert phases and what phase are we in?
5. What age groups are most likely to be affected during an influenza pandemic?
6. How do people become infected with influenza viruses?
7. Is there a risk of catching the flu by eating pork or pork products?
8. What are the symptoms of influenza in humans?
9. What precautions should I take if I visit an area affected by H1N1 influenza?
10. Should I begin taking antiviral medications such as Tamiflu® if I'm planning a visit to another country known to have H1N1 flu?

1. Flu Terms Defined

Seasonal (or common) flu: is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu: is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans.
Swine flu: is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among pigs. The novel H1N1 variant that showed up in Mexico in March 2009 was believed to have its origin from pigs.
Pandemic flu: is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. The World Health Organization declared a pandemic in June of 2009.

2. What is an influenza pandemic?

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness, and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.

3. Will the seasonal influenza vaccine in fall 2009 protect me from the pandemic H1N1 flu?

Probably not. The current thinking is that there will be a separate vaccine for the novel H1N1 flu.

4. What are pandemic alert phases and what phase are we in?

The World Health Organization (WHO) developed an alert system to help inform the world about the seriousness of a pandemic. The alert system has six phases, with Phase 1 having the lowest risk of human cases and Phase 6 posing the greatest risk of pandemic.

The world is presently in Phase 6 of the Pandemic Alert. This means that there is a new influenza virus subtype is causing disease in humans worldwide. The Pandemic Alert level is not affected by how hazardous this strain of flu is.

5. What age groups are most likely to be affected during the current pandemic?

Typically, the greatest risk of hospitalization and death – as seen during the last two pandemics in 1957 and 1968 and during annual influenza – will be infants, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions. However, in the 1918 pandemic, most deaths occurred in young adults. Few if any people would have immunity to the virus. It’s unknown at this time whether certain groups of people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications from infection with this new virus.

6. How do people become infected with influenza viruses?

Human-to-human spread of H1N1 (swine) flu is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

7. Is there a risk of catching the flu by eating pork or pork products?

No. According to USDA scientists, H1N1 flu is not a foodborne disease, it is a respiratory disease. USDA continues to educate the public through its food safety efforts and reminds consumers that all meat and poultry products are safe to eat when properly prepared and cooked as this kills all foodborne pathogens. More information about safe food handling is at www.befoodsafe.gov.

8. What are the symptoms of influenza in humans?

The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 (swine) flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 (swine) flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine) flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

9. What precautions should I take if I visit in an area affected by H1N1 influenza?

CDC also has prepared information about issues related to the travel industry. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and CDC will provide new information as it becomes available.

10. Should I begin taking antiviral medications such as Tamiflu® if I'm planning a visit to another country known to have H1N1 flu?

No, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) specifically states at this time persons traveling to countries with avian influenza cases of avian or H1N1 (swine) influenza in birds, poultry, swine, or humans do not need to take Tamiflu ® to prevent illness. If you become ill in any way while in the country, you should seek medical advice immediately. Travelers to any country that has reported cases of H5N1 among birds or humans should consider scheduling an appointment with their health care provider before traveling to discuss risks for potential exposure to H5N1. Only you and your health care provider can determine that risk and what the most appropriate precautions are for you.

Some of the information on this page was taken from PandemicFlu.gov.

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