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Pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus appears or emerges in the human population
and causes a global outbreak of the disease, resulting in serious illness as it spreads from person to person.
Pandemic flu has occurred naturally throughout history.
There have been three pandemics in the last 100 years:
- 1918 - 1919: "Spanish flu" : Ohio reported 1,113,797 cases and 8,602 deaths
- 1957 - 1958: "Asian flu" : One or more outbreaks were reported in 71 counties with deaths in 63
counties.
- 1968 - 1969: "Hong Kong flu" : Very mild flu pandemic, similar to seasonal flu.
Pandemics are unpredictable and it is hard to know when one will occur, what type of flu it will be, and how
severe it will be. A flu pandemic could cause many deaths and severe illnesses, disrupt some parts of daily life,
and limit the amount of health and other services available. Gatherings of people might be limited to control
the spread of the disease (schools and businesses may close, sporting events could be cancelled, and transportation
could be limited). Additionally, hospitals could be overloaded if doctors and nurses are sick. There also may be
more people with the flu than the hospitals can take. In this case, some people would need to be cared for in their
homes or other places.
Last Updated August 29, 2006
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