Alberta Prepares for Pandemic Influenza - Honourable Iris Evans presentation to the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Annual Summit 
, July 18, 2006
Flu pandemics happen when a new kind of influenza virus spreads easily from person to person throughout the world.
Since people have no protection against the new virus, it will likely cause more illnesses and a larger number of deaths than the seasonal flu.
Alberta has a plan to respond to pandemic influenza. Alberta's plan aims to slow the spread of disease, minimize serious illness or death and avoid disruptions to essential community services. The plan includes:
- working with health officials worldwide to look for evidence of disease,
- rapid distribution of vaccine when it becomes available,
- ensuring the health care system can manage the surge of patients during the pandemic,
- readying emergency planning services.
