Pandemic Flu Readiness
Overview:
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. They are caused by viral subtypes that already circulate among people.
Avian or swine flu is caused by avian or swine influenza viruses and occurs naturally among birds and pigs. Sometimes these viruses mutate or become infectious to humans.
Pandemic flu is a serious respiratory illness that spreads easily among people during a global outbreak or pandemic.
Pandemics are caused by:
- New viral subtypes
- Subtypes that have never circulated among people
- Subtypes that have not circulated among people for a long time.