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Pandemic flu threat nothing to sneeze at

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  • Pandemic flu threat nothing to sneeze at

    Source: http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=757

    Pandemic flu threat nothing to sneeze at

    September 29, 2008
    Writer(s): Kathleen Phillips, 979-845-2872,ka-phillips@tamu.edu
    Contact(s): Josefa Pena, 979-845-8954, JBPena@ag.tamu.edu

    COLLEGE STATION ? It happened three times in the 20th century, and health officials believe history could repeat any time ? pandemic flu. An outbreak of a new viral disease spreading quickly around the global would have a huge impact on society.

    ?Seasonal flu occurs from October to May annually, peaking from December to March,? said Josefa Pena, Texas AgriLife Extension Service health program specialist. ?Seasonal flu overwhelms the health care system every year. Therefore, in the event of a pandemic flu, for sure the health care system will be overloaded.?

    Though medical researchers develop shots to prevent common flu that cycles each year, it is possible that a new strain of flu virus could develop, spread and have a wide-reaching impact before a vaccine for it could be created.

    That is what happened in 1918, 1957 and 1968, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As many as 50 million people in the world died from what was called Spanish flu in 1918. About 675,000 of those were in the U.S.

    The department estimates 70,000 deaths nationwide in the 1957 Asian flu epidemic and about 34,000 U.S. deaths in the1968 Hong Kong flu outbreak.

    By comparison, the seasonal outbreaks of flu in the U.S. cause from 30,000-50,000 deaths each year. But a pandemic outbreak of a new strain could result in 900,000-2 million deaths nationwide and tens of millions more worldwide, according to AgriLife Extension?s health specialists.

    Pena said people can learn how to be more prepared and possibly prevent pandemic flu from infecting themselves. She said comprehensive information and planning checklists can be found at the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network web site at http://texashelp.tamu.edu/004-natura...d-epidemic.php.

    Information includes a checklist for individuals and families, and preparedness ideas for businesses and for faith-based organizations. There also is information on flu symptoms, flu shots and what to do if you or a loved one gets sick. The site uses information compiled from the U.S. health department, and includes what the nation is doing to prepare for such an outbreak, as well as efforts planned by the Red Cross and the Centers for Disease Control.

    Individuals and groups interested in learning more about preparing for pandemic flu can contact their county AgriLife Extension office or Pena at 979-845-8954, or JBPena@ag.tamu.edu.
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