5 things we've learned from previous flu pandemics
Influenza pandemics aren't new—and they've taught us a lot
By Dr. Vincent Lam and Dr. Colin Lee
• Influenza pandemics have occurred repeatedly over the centuries.
• There were three pandemics in the 20th century. The first one was especially devastating, and the other two were much milder.
• In 1976, a pandemic was predicted, and a mass immunization campaign was undertaken in the United States to respond to this risk. The feared pandemic did not occur.
• SARS gave the world a recent taste of a global infectious disease outbreak. The rapid containment of SARS was an international public health success but does not guarantee a similar degree of success with an influenza pandemic.
Some lessons from the influenza pandemics of the 20th century:
1. Pandemics often give some warning before doing their worst damage.
2. Pandemics tend to feature a “signature age shift,” meaning that younger adults become seriously ill and die in greater proportion than in seasonal influenza epidemics.
3. Pandemics tend to feature a rapid surge in the number of ill people.
4. The pandemics of the 20th century have given us knowledge and insight to be able to respond more meaningfully to future pandemics.
5. Honest and clear communication is the cornerstone of an effective response to a pandemic.
Excerpted from The Flu Pandemic and You Copyright © 2006 by Vincent Lam, M.D. Colin Lee, M.D.. Excerpted by permission of Doubleday Canada. All rights reserved.
This has been difficult to manage with uncertain supply delivery dates, controversy over effectiveness and safety, two kinds of vacine, varying priority lists and little other news of the day.
On the whole those charged with delivering health care have done well as they move toward heavy H1N1 numbers. Past flu challenges have not had the advantage or disadvantage of instant media coverage and fast statistical knowlege.
Totally agree with Bob!
The media made this whole pandemic seem like it was the end of the world and sure people get sick from what comes around goes around .
One thing I have learned from all this is that the WHO wanted a pandemic so the first thing that came along ie. H1N1 they called this a pandemic. Back in early Oct. the WHO stated that H1N1 would double every day for months, did not happen,they also stated that there would be thousands of deaths from H1N1 with in a few weeks not happening. The federal government can not deal with an emergency let alone a pandemic. Last but not least the MEDIA has blown the hole thing out of all proportion by their fear mongoraling tactics as usual. This type of onesided reporting needs to stop if they wish to keep their credibility.haha!