H1N1 Facts

Be informed and be prepared. From the government website pandemicflu.gov:

Planning & Response Activities

Pandemic planning requires that people and entities not accustomed to responding to health crises understand the actions and priorities required to prepare for and respond to these potential risks. Information is provided on these pages to help every sector of society, from federal, state and local government to individuals and families, participate in our national planning efforts.

Checklists This page brings together links to the checklists prepared for many of the sectors listed above. The checklists were prepared as a means to organize our national thinking and bring consistency to our efforts. Individuals & Families Information on how a flu pandemic might affect individuals and families and what they can do to plan and prepare. Includes a Planning Checklist. Workplace Information on how a flu pandemic might affect the workplace, businesses, and industry and what they can do to plan and prepare. Includes a Planning Checklist. Schools Information on how a flu pandemic might affect schools and what they can do to plan and prepare. Includes a Planning Checklist. Health Care Providers Information on how a flu pandemic might affect health care providers and what they can do to plan and prepare. Includes a Planning Checklist (in preparation). Community Organizations Information on how a flu pandemic might affect churches and community and social organizations and what they can do to plan and prepare. Includes a Planning Checklist. Planning Tools This page links to tools and programs to assist in planning and preparation for flu pandemic. State & Local Government Information on the integration of federal and state and local planning, including Flu Pandemic Summits held in each state. Includes a Planning Checklist and links to state information and activities. Federal Government Presents the President's National Strategy, the Department of Health & Human Services National Plan, and information on how all parts of the federal government are planning and preparing for flu pandemic. Global Activities Information about global monitoring, planning and preparation for flu pandemic. Vaccine Prioritization In the event of a flu pandemic, an effective vaccine may not be widely available. A prioritization plan determines which individuals and groups will be vaccinated first. Pandemic Planning Assumptions These assumptions, based largely on the 1918 influenza epidemic, are being used throughout the federal government to define a severe case scenario. Risk Communication This page provides information about crisis, emergency and flu pandemic risk communications. Contact Information for State Departments of Agriculture, Wildlife, and Public Health Find information on how to contact the departments in your state, by mail and by phone. When available, fax numbers and Web addresses are also provided.

What would be the Impact of a Pandemic?

A pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last for six to eight weeks.

An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Pandemics Death Toll Since 1900
1918-1919
U.S....	675,000+
Worldwide...	50,000,000+
This as per the CDC.
1957-1958
U.S....	70,000+
Worldwide...	1-2,000,000
1968-1969
U.S....	34,000+
Worldwide...	700,000+

A substantial percentage of the world's population will require some form of medical care. Health care facilities can be overwhelmed, creating a shortage of hospital staff, beds, ventilators and other supplies. Surge capacity at non-traditional sites such as schools may need to be created to cope with demand.

The need for vaccine is likely to outstrip supply and the supply of antiviral drugs is also likely to be inadequate early in a pandemic. Difficult decisions will need to be made regarding who gets antiviral drugs and vaccines.

Death rates are determined by four factors: the number of people who become infected, the virulence of the virus, the underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations and the availability and effectiveness of preventive measures.

Assessing the Severity of an Influenza Pandemic (World Health Organization) (May 11, 2009)
Learn what factors influence the overall severity of a pandemic. Includes discussion of H1N1 flu (swine flu).