An influenza pandemic may occur when an influenza virus radically changes and can easily infect humans,
and against which people have little or no immunity.
Pandemics have been recorded every ten to forty years
dating back to the 1600s, and likely long before then.
There were three during the last century. In the 1918-19,
the "Spanish flu", over 20 million
people died worldwide. The last pandemic, the "Hong
Kong flu", occurred in 1968.
British Columbia is working with provincial, national
and international partners to plan and prepare for
a possible influenza pandemic. This website provides
information and tips to help individuals, local governments
and businesses plan for an influenza pandemic, including public
information materials, contacts and
informational links.
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