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PANDEMIC FLU FAQsWhen will the next pandemic occur?
The timing and severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted.[10] However, experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) and other institutions believe the world is now closer to another influenza pandemic than at any time since 1968—when the last of the previous century’s three pandemics occurred.
WHO’s pandemic flu alert system has six phases, with Phase 1 having the lowest risk of human cases and Phase 6 posing the greatest risk of pandemic.
The world is presently in Phase 3 of the Pandemic Alert. This means that there is a new influenza virus subtype causing disease in humans, but it is not yet spreading easily among humans.[1]
WHO Alert Phases:
| Phase |
| 1 |
Low risk of human cases |
| 2 |
Higher risk of human cases |
| 3 |
No or very limited human-to-human transmission |
| 4 |
Evidence of increased human-to-human transmission |
| 5 |
Evidence of significant human-to-human transmission |
| 6 |
Efficient and sustained human-to-human transmission |
next:
What treatments are available for pandemic flu?
Important Safety Information About RELENZA
RELENZA IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TREATMENT OR PROPHYLAXIS OF INFLUENZA IN INDIVIDUALS WITH UNDERLYING AIRWAY DISEASE (SUCH AS ASTHMA OR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE).
- 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
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