Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2007 Feb;35(1):7-13.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2006.04.203.

Pandemic influenza: what infection control professionals should know

Affiliations

Pandemic influenza: what infection control professionals should know

Barbara A Goldrick et al. Am J Infect Control. 2007 Feb.

Abstract

During the last century, 3 influenza A pandemics have occurred, and pandemic influenza will inevitably occur in the future. Although the timing and severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted, the probability that a pandemic will occur has increased based on the current outbreaks of A(H5N1) in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Because of these widespread outbreaks, the World Health Organization declared a phase 3 pandemic alert in the fall of 2005. Early detection is essential to prevent the spread of avian influenza. Planning now can be achieved by integrating interventions to ensure a prompt and effective response to a pandemic. This article provides an overview of the current status of A(H5N1) influenza worldwide and recommendations for the prevention and control of avian influenza should it emerge in humans in the United States.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Influenza virus structure. Source: National Science Foundation at: http://www.nsf.gov/news/speeches/colwell/rc02_hippocratic/sld016.htm. Accessed April 3, 2006.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Reassortment of avian influenza viruses. Source: Department of Health and Human Services National Vaccine Program Office, 2004.
Fig 3
Fig 3
Transmission of avian influenza. Source: Webster R, et al.

References

    1. Barry J.M. The Penguin Group; New York: 2004. The great influenza. p. 101-4.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza background. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/background.htm. Accessed February 7, 2006.
    1. World Health Organization. Avian influenza frequently asked questions. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/index.html. Accessed February 1, 2006.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza pandemics during the 20th century. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/keyfacts.htm#history. Accessed February 9, 2006.
    1. Schäfer J.R., Kawaoka Y., Bean W.J., Süss J., Senne D., Webster R.G. Origin of the pandemic 1957 H2 influenza A virus and the persistence of its possible progenitors in the avian reservoir. Virology. 1993;194:781–788. - PubMed

MeSH terms