Pandemic
A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that initiates simultaneous infections of humans throughout the world. The disease occurs simultaneously because populations share some common susceptibility. Health officials currently fear that the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus is the agent that will initiate the pandemic if it mutates to acquire the ability to spread from human to human.
The primary reason this strain of virus is so widely feared is because the world’s population is immunologically vulnerable. In other words, this is a new strain and humans have no residual antibodies from previous seasonal influenza outbreaks. Also, cases where humans have been infected following close contact with infected birds indicate that it is an extremely virulent agent of disease. Estimates of 52-55% mortality rates have been quoted.
As information concerning pandemics increases, AIHA will provide OEHS professionals with valuable resources on the topic through educational opportunities, publications, and much more.
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