PANDEMIC FLU FAQs

What are the expected levels of illness and mortality from a pandemic flu?

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate, pandemic flu in the US could result in:

• 89,000 to 207,000 deaths
• 314,000 to 734,000 hospitalizations
• 18 to 42 million outpatient visits
• 20 to 47 million additional illnesses

Patients at high risk (based on the categories used for seasonal influenza: 15% of the population) would account for approximately 84% of all deaths.[16]

Globally, pandemic flu is likely to cause 2 to 7.4 million deaths. In high-income countries, which account for 15% of the world’s population, there could be 134–233 million outpatient visits and 1.5–5.2 million hospital admissions.[14]

However, the impact of the next pandemic is likely to be the greatest in low-income countries because of different population characteristics and the already strained healthcare resources.[14]

 
Important Safety Information About RELENZA

• Serious cases of bronchospasm, including fatalities, have been reported during treatment with RELENZA in patients with and without underlying airway disease. Many of these cases were reported during postmarketing, and causality was difficult to assess
  
• RELENZA SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY PATIENT WHO DEVELOPS BRONCHOSPASM OR DECLINE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION; immediate treatment and hospitalization may be required
  
• Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with high-risk underlying medical conditions
  
• Patients should be instructed in the use of the delivery system. Instructions should include a demonstration whenever possible
  
• If treatment with RELENZA is considered for a patient with underlying airway disease, the potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed. If a decision is made to prescribe RELENZA for such a patient, this should be done only under conditions of careful monitoring of respiratory function, close observation, and appropriate supportive care including availability of fast-acting bronchodilators
  
• Common adverse events in treatment and prophylaxis studies with RELENZA were nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, viral respiratory infections, headaches, nasal signs and symptoms. The incidence of these adverse events was similar in both groups for RELENZA and placebo-treated groups
  
• Please see complete Prescribing Information for RELENZA