| |
Basic InformationLatest NewsSickle Cell Kids at Greater Risk of 'Swine Flu' ComplicationsPediatric Group Issues New Flu Shot GuidelinesFDA Issues Label Change for Afluria Influenza VaccineH1N1 Tied to Death, Serious Illness in Transplant PatientsChildren Respond Well to Adjuvanted H1N1 VaccineH1N1 in Pregnant Women Is Serious Threat to FetusesTaking Flu Drugs While Pregnant Appears to Be Safe: StudyH1N1 Flu Hit Pregnant Women HardStudy Finds Military Prone to Infection With H1N1 FluGraded Doses of Flu Vaccine Safe for Egg-Allergic ChildrenSwine Flu in Pregnancy Leads Some to ICUHousehold H1N1 Transmission Usually Starts With ChildrenClinical Trials Update: March 12, 2010Vaccinating Children Shown to Reduce Flu TransmissionRapid Flu Test Most Accurate for Young KidsH1N1 Vaccination Still Highly RecommendedClinical Trials Update: Jan. 28, 2010Short School Closures Won't Shut Down FluAs Swine Flu Wanes, Don't Be FooledImmunocompromised Patients Need Aggressive Flu TreatmentFlu Vaccine for Seniors ApprovedNew Weapon May Help Battle Bird FluH1N1 Flu Waning, but Many Vaccine Doses UnusedNearly 5 Million Doses of Nasal Swine Flu Vaccine RecalledAs Swine Flu Wanes, So Does Public's FearClinical Trials Update: Dec. 22, 2009Single Shot of H1N1 Vaccine May Be Enough for KidsScientists Link Molecule to Severe Swine FluInformation Offered on Effect of H1N1 Vaccine SchedulesNon-Safety, Voluntary Recall of H1N1 Flu Vaccine IssuedLarge Recall of Children's Swine Flu VaccinePandemic Flu Could Lead to Shortages in Blood SupplySeasonal Flu Vaccination Rates Still Too LowReview Questions Tamiflu's EffectivenessSwine Flu Can Batter Kids With Sickle CellSwine Flu Tied to Rise in Pneumonias Among YoungWinter Flu May Push Pediatric Intensive Care to LimitSwine Flu May Hit Kids With Asthma HarderClinical Trials Update: Nov. 20, 2009Trivalent Vaccine Has Minimal Effect on H1N1Clinical Trials Update: Nov. 17, 2009Immunity to Swine Flu May Be Broader Than ThoughtAnother Swine Flu Vaccine Approved for ChildrenOlder People at Greater Risk of Swine Flu DeathClinical Trials Update: Nov. 11, 2009Depressed and Pregnant? Flu Shot May Be NeededMost Who Want Swine Flu Shot Can't Get ItBackground Disease Rates Important in H1N1 PandemicOne Dose of Swine Flu Vaccine Works for Pregnant WomenPediatric H1N1 Influenza Deaths Reach at Least 114 Links |
| |
Pandemic Flu Versus Avian Flu: DefinitionsFDAWhat Is the Difference Between Pandemic Flu and Avian (Bird) Flu? Pandemic Flu A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the world in a very short time. It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be. In the past century pandemics occurred in 1918-1919, 1957-1958 and 1968-1969. Wherever and whenever a pandemic starts, everyone around the world is at risk. Countries might delay arrival of the virus, through measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, but they cannot stop it. Avian (Bird) Flu Avian (bird) flu is caused by influenza A avian viruses that occur naturally among birds. There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. All known subtypes can be found in birds. The avian flu currently of concern is the H5N1 subtype. Avian H5N1 flu in humans is currently very limited and not a pandemic. Although H5N1 probably poses the greatest current pandemic threat, other avian influenza A subtypes also have infected people in recent years. For example, in 1999, H9N2 infections were identified in Hong Kong; in 2002; and 2003, H7N7 infections occurred in the Netherlands and H7N3 infections occurred in Canada. These viruses also have the potential to give rise to the next pandemic. For more information on pandemic or avian flu, go to www.pandemicflu.gov.
US Food and Drug Administration | 
