Extension Rural Health & Nutrition

Pandemic Influenza

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Get informed of the difference between seasonal flu and pandemic flu. Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Get Informed

An influenza (flu) pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of a novel influenza virus. Novel viruses can impact populations due to a lack of immunity and access to readily available vaccines. Pandemics differ from seasonal outbreaks of influenza that occur every year. Seasonal influenza is caused by influenza virus types to which people have already been exposed. Its impact on society is less severe than a pandemic, and influenza vaccines (flu shots and nasal-spray vaccine) are available to help prevent widespread illness from seasonal flu.

A Historical Perspective: Amidst the 21st Century, the emergence of a new global pandemic of the influenza virus exposed the US and global populations to Swine Flu (H1N1). This virus, along with those of the previous three pandemics in the 20th century, is classified as a pandemic flu virus.

  • 1918-1919: Most severe, caused at least 675,000 U.S. deaths and up to 50 million deaths worldwide.
  • 1957-1958: Severe, caused at least 116,000 U.S. deaths and 1.1 million deaths worldwide.
  • 1968-1969: Moderately severe, caused at least 100,000 U.S. deaths and 1 million deaths worldwide.
  • 2009-2010: Least severe, resulted in 12,469 U.S. deaths and up to 575,000 deaths worldwide.

Some Differences Between Seasonal Flu & Pandemic Flu:

Seasonal FluPandemic Flu
Seasonal flu is caused by the spread of influenza viruses A and B through droplets, which affect the respiratory system; it is a commonly occurring epidemic in the general population of individuals. The normal peak season for seasonal flu occurrences is between December and February.Pandemic flu is caused by a novice influenza virus that people have not been exposed to before. The effects of pandemic flu are likely to be more severe, affect a greater number of people, and result in more deaths than seasonal influenza due to the lack of immunity to the new virus.
Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue (tiredness), dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle aches. Complications associated with other chronic illnesses may result in death.Symptoms similar to the common flu, but may be more severe and complications more serious.
Healthy adults are usually not at risk for serious complications. The young, elderly, and those with certain underlying health conditions are at increased risk for serious complications. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htmHealthy and vulnerable populations may be at risk for serious complications.
Every year in the United States, on average 8% of the population gets the flu. More than 300,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. Over 21,000 people die from the flu each year. The effects of a severe pandemic could be much more damaging than those of a regular flu season. It could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Every day life could be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closures to the interruption of essential services, such as public transportation and food delivery.

Importance & Benefits of Being Prepared: The effects of a pandemic can be minimized with advance preparation. The United States has been working closely with other countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen systems for detecting outbreaks of influenza that could potentially cause a pandemic.

As you begin your individual or family planning, you may want to review your state’s planning efforts and those of your local public health and emergency preparedness officials.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies are providing funding, advice, and other support to your state. The federal government will provide up-to-date information and guidance to the public in the event of an influenza pandemic. For reliable, accurate, and timely information, visit the federal government’s official website at Pandemic Influenza | Pandemic Influenza (Flu) | CDC.

Challenges & Preparation

You can start preparing now to respond to these challenges. The following are some challenges you or your family may face, along with recommendations to help you cope. You should also discuss with your family where family members and loved ones will go in an emergency and how they will receive care, in case you are unable to communicate with them. In addition, checklists and other tools have been prepared to guide your planning efforts. In the event of an active influenza pandemic or local disaster, please visit Community Lifelines | FEMA.gov for additional information on accessing available community resources.

Services that May be Disrupted Include:

  • Safety and Security – Law Enforcement/Security, Fire Service, Search and Rescue, Government Service, Community Safety
  • Food, Hydration, Shelter – Food, Hydration, Shelter, Agriculture
  • Health and Medical – Medical Care, Public Health, Patient Movement, Medical Supply Chain, Fatality Management
  • Energy – Power Grid, Fuel
  • Communications – Infrastructure, Responder Communications, Alert Warnings and Messages, Finance, 911 and Dispatch
  • Transportation – Highway/Roadway/Motor Vehicle, Mass Transit, Railway, Aviation, Maritime
  • Hazardous Materials – Facilities, HAZMAT, Pollutants, Contaminants
  • Water Systems – Potable Water Infrastructure, Wastewater Management

Preparation Recommendations:

Food

  • Store two weeks of nonperishable food.
  • Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation (including the use of water), or cooking.
  • Ensure that formulas for infants and any child’s or older person’s special nutritional needs are a part of your planning.

Water

  • Store two weeks of water, 1 gallon of water per person per day (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation/sanitation), in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that are likely to decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

Employment

Schools and Daycares

  • Schools, and potentially public and private preschools, childcare, trade schools, and colleges and universities may be closed to limit the spread of flu in the community and to help prevent children from becoming sick.
  • Plan for the need for alternative childcare in case of extended closures.
  • Talk to teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations about activities, lesson plans, and exercises that children can do at home if schools are closed. This could include continuing courses through various online platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
  • Keep routines at home as normal as possible. Plan entertainment and recreational activities that your children can do at home. Have materials, such as books to read, coloring supplies, and games, on hand for your children to use.

Medical Care and Chronic Illness

  • Hospitals and doctors’ offices may be overwhelmed.
  • Continue taking medication as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Make sure you have the necessary medical supplies, such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider to ensure adequate access to your medications.
  • If you receive ongoing medical care such as dialysis, chemotherapy, or other therapies, talk with your health care provider about plans to continue care during a pandemic.

Prevention & Treatment

Stay Healthy: These steps may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu.

  • Stay home when you are sick or not feeling well.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze – throw the tissue away immediately after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner (60-95% alcohol content).
  • Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  • If you get the flu, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. In this way, you will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way. Use a face covering if recommended by local healthcare providers.

Vaccination

  • Vaccines are used to protect people from contracting a virus once a particular threat is identified. After an individual has been infected by a virus, a vaccine cannot help combat it.
  • Once a pandemic influenza virus has been identified, it will take 3-6 months to develop, test, and begin producing a vaccine.
  • The federal government continues to produce and stockpile vaccines for several existing influenza viruses.

Antivirals

  • Several antiviral drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat and prevent seasonal influenza, some of which may be effective in treating a novel influenza virus.
  • These drugs may help prevent infection in people at risk and shorten the duration of symptoms in those infected with pandemic influenza.
  • The federal government is working to develop new antiviral medications.

Stay Informed

  • Knowing the facts is the best preparation. Identify sources you can count on for reliable information. If a pandemic were to occur, having accurate and reliable information would be critical.
  • Look for information on your local and state government websites. Links are available for each state department of public health at www.pandemicflu.gov.
  • Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television, and read your newspaper and other sources of printed and web-based information.

References:

  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Pandemic Influenza Plan. Updated June 2017.

Author:

Revised 9/2025 by Jevencia Hill, Rural Health and Nutrition Agent, Kershaw, Lexington, and Richland Counties.

Originally authored by James H. Blake, HGIC Director/Adjunct Professor, J. G. Hunter, HGIC Nutrition Specialist, and K. L. Cason, Professor, State EFNEP Coordinator, Clemson University and published 1/2007 on Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center.

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