Link to plan:
Main site:
| Quarterly Progress Report |
Pandemic Influenza
An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears in the human population, causes serious human illness, and spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Currently there is no pandemic influenza in the world.
Because people have little or no immune protection from such new viruses, there can be high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. The last major flu pandemic occurred in 1918 and killed as many as 40 million people worldwide, including more than 500,000 in the United States.
The H5N1 avian influenza or "bird flu" covered in the news has not qualified as a pandemic strain of influenza and scientists cannot predict if or when this might happen. However, the virus continues to spread in birds and from birds to some people, so health experts are on high alert.
South Dakota Prepares
South Dakota has developed a pandemic influenza plan that mirrors the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plan. It was developed by the state Health Department, other state agencies, and health care partners and submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April 2005. It continues to be revised and updated. South Dakota Pandemic Influenza Plan - March 2006 (use ADOBE)
Flu Terms Defined
Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.
Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious
illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person
to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.
Download this brochure for more about pandemic flu (Native American version).
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Main site:
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South Dakota Pandemic Influenza Community Planning Grant Awards
Sources for more information
South Dakota Department of Health
Influenza information site
Preparing your family
Archives of the SD Pandemic Influenza Summit
South Dakota Animal Industry Board, Avian influenza
South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service avian flu/pandemic flu site
USD School of Medicine
Pediatric Grand Rounds
Pandemic Influenza
(use Real Player)
South Dakota Historical Society: 1918 Spanish Flu in South Dakota
Related Links
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Pandemic Influenza Community Planning Grants South Dakota Pandemic Influenza Community Planning Grant Awards
Sources for more information
South Dakota Department of Health
Influenza information site
Preparing your family
Archives of the SD Pandemic Influenza Summit
South Dakota Animal Industry Board, Avian influenza
South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service avian flu/pandemic flu site
USD School of Medicine
Pediatric Grand Rounds
Pandemic Influenza
(use Real Player)
South Dakota Historical Society: 1918 Spanish Flu in South Dakota
Related Links
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| Quarterly Progress Report |
Pandemic Influenza
An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears in the human population, causes serious human illness, and spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Currently there is no pandemic influenza in the world.
Because people have little or no immune protection from such new viruses, there can be high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. The last major flu pandemic occurred in 1918 and killed as many as 40 million people worldwide, including more than 500,000 in the United States.
The H5N1 avian influenza or "bird flu" covered in the news has not qualified as a pandemic strain of influenza and scientists cannot predict if or when this might happen. However, the virus continues to spread in birds and from birds to some people, so health experts are on high alert.
South Dakota Prepares
South Dakota has developed a pandemic influenza plan that mirrors the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plan. It was developed by the state Health Department, other state agencies, and health care partners and submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April 2005. It continues to be revised and updated. South Dakota Pandemic Influenza Plan - March 2006 (use ADOBE)
Flu Terms Defined
Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.
Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious
illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person
to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.
Download this brochure for more about pandemic flu (Native American version).
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600 East Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501 Toll Free Number: 1-800-738-2301 This page was updated on <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.state.sd.us/doh/flu/pandemic/datemod.js" language="JavaScript"></script>: February 3, 2007
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