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1. What is an influenza pandemic?

An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of flu. There are 3 characteristics that distinguish a flu pandemic from the seasonal flu outbreaks that occur every year.

• The pandemic is caused by a new strain of flu virus to which people have no immunity.
• The virus is spread easily from person to person.
• The virus is capable of causing severe illness and many deaths.

Flu pandemics tend to arrive with very little warning. This new virus may be a combination of viruses that have not circulated among people for a long time.

Most people will have no natural protection or immunity from the new virus. Because of this, the new virus is especially dangerous, and could lead to high rates of illness and death.

2. What’s the difference between pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza?

An influenza pandemic has little in common with the annual flu season that we are all familiar with. During an influenza pandemic, the chances of becoming sick are not only greater, but the disease is more likely to cause more complications and deaths.

Seasonal outbreaks of influenza are caused by viruses commonly known to make people sick. Pandemic influenza is caused by a new virus to which people have no immunity. Seasonal influenza outbreaks do not disrupt everyday life. But past influenza pandemics have caused high levels of sickness and death, major social disruptions and economic loss.