Frequently Asked Questions

What is pandemic influenza?

Pandemic influenza is influenza that spreads rapidly to affect almost all countries and regions around the world. Influenza pandemics occur when a new strain of influenza virus appears that most people have no immunity to. Influenza pandemics generally affect more people, cause more severe illness, and result in much more serious disruption to society than the "ordinary" influenza we see in Canada each winter.

What is the difference between ordinary influenza and pandemic influenza?

Ordinary influenza is the influenza that circulates most of the time and produces the outbreaks we see in Canada every winter. For most people this is an unpleasant though not life-threatening illness. The strains of virus causing this type of influenza change from year to year, but can be fairly reliably predicted so that an appropriate vaccine can be prepared each year. Pandemic influenza is caused when a new strain of influenza virus emerges that is markedly different from recently circulating strains. These changes cannot be predicted in the same way as the changes in ordinary influenza viruses, so a vaccine specifically against the new strain cannot be developed in advance.

How will we know a pandemic has started?

The World Health Organization monitors influenza activity around the world. It will announce the start of a pandemic and will inform governments.

Can a pandemic be prevented at an early stage?

Probably not. Efforts will be made internationally to try to control a pandemic at an early stage. However, influenza is highly infectious. Whole populations will be susceptible to the new virus. It is likely to continue to spread despite efforts to contain it.

Who will be at risk during an influenza pandemic?

Everyone is potentially at risk of catching influenza during an influenza pandemic. Few, if any, will have immunity to the virus. Certain groups or age groups may be at greater risk than others, but we will not know for certain who they will be until the virus starts circulating.

How many people in Canada are likely to catch influenza during the pandemic?

From past experience, around 15 to 35 per cent of the population is likely to develop influenza, although it could be more.

Are many people likely to die?

Maybe. This will depend on several factors such as how infectious the virus proves to be, which age groups are mainly affected, how soon vaccine is available and in what quantity, and how effective antiviral drugs are in treating people. It is estimated that a pandemic could lead to several million deaths worldwide.

How will an influenza pandemic affect health services?

An influenza pandemic will place considerable pressure on health and social services . An increased number of patients with influenza will require treatment both in the community and in hospital, there will be a reduced workforce due to illness, and the general disruption that is likely to occur. The province's experience with past provincial emergencies, such as Hurricane Juan, will help planning.

How will an influenza pandemic affect business?

Each pandemic is different, and the impact on business cannot be fully established until more is known about how a pandemic is evolving. Absences from work will depend largely on the age group most affected by the virus. A quarter or more of the working population may have to take days off work at some stage during the pandemic. In addition to absence due to illness, some workers may need time off to care for family members or may have difficulty getting to work.

How will other sectors of the community be affected?

An influenza pandemic will affect all sectors of the community through the illness itself and the consequences of staff sickness, travel restrictions, reduced transport and deliveries, and so forth.

Will people be prevented from travelling?

Perrhaps. If a pandemic starts outside Canada, people are likely to be advised not to travel to affected areas or attend international gatherings such as large conferences and sports events. Later, depending on how the pandemic develops, it may be necessary to reduce the movement of people within Canada to prevent or delay further spread of the virus.

Why are experts concerned about an influenza pandemic now?

Experts believe we should be ready for a pandemic to emerge at any time. However, the avian influenza (often called "bird flu") currently affecting poultry and some people in Asia has increased their concern.

If I get sick, will I be quarantined?

If you are ill with pandemic influenza, you may be isolated either at home or in the hospital. If you are admitted to the hospital, you will be placed either in a room by yourself or on a ward with other influenza patients. The reason for this is to stop the spread of the virus to other patients who have been admitted to the hospital for reasons other than influenza. The health-care workers looking after you will wear a gown, gloves and a mask in order to protect themselves from the virus.

If you have pandemic influenza but do not require admission to the hospital, you will be asked to remain at home until your symptoms resolve. By avoiding contact with other people, such as at work, at movie theatres or at sports events, the spread of the virus in the community will be limited.

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza—bird flu—is infection caused by a strain of influenza virus that usually infects wild or domesticated birds, particularly poultry. It occasionally crosses the species barrier and infects people.

How does avian influenza affect people?

Until recently, it was thought that avian influenza only rarely affected people and caused only mild disease. Since 1997, however, more severe illness has occurred in people infected with avian influenza strains, and one strain of bird flu—H5N1—has been associated with a very high death rate when people have been affected.

Why are we concerned about avian influenza?

Experts believe a pandemic virus may emerge from an avian influenza virus, for example, if it mixes with a human influenza virus, creating a new virus that is highly infectious for people.

The avian (bird) influenza that is affecting poultry flocks in Europe and Asia at the present time has increased experts' concern. The avian influenza virus (H5N1) that is causing these outbreaks has affected some people, causing serious illness. Scientists fear that this virus may change with time to make it a more serious threat for people and that it could start another pandemic.

Is there a vaccine for avian influenza?

At the moment, there is no vaccine for people. An H5N1 vaccine is being developed against the current H5N1 viruses. However, as these viruses will have to change to cause a pandemic, this vaccine may not then be effective.

Is there a treatment for avian influenza?

Antiviral drugs are helpful in treating avian influenza. To be effective, antiviral drugs have to be taken within 48 hours of the symptoms starting. The government has a stockpile of antiviral drugs for emergency use and is building up this stockpile against the contingency of a pandemic.