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Prevention of the Flu: Individual, Endemic Or Pandemic

Many people unknowingly catch and spread the flu to others, every day. Then, when a global alert is issued by the World Health Organization, they begin to wonder, "What can we do?"

What is a global alert?

A global health alert, by the World Health Organization, indicates that there is a serious situation pending, or happening already. It is important for people to comprehend what is going on and to understand what it means for them, when a global alert has been issued.

A global health alert suggests that there is imminent danger of the transmission of a disease, like a flu virus, to people everywhere. In other words, there is immediate danger of contagion or the possibility of infection to many people, if they are in contact with a disease, either directly or in-directly. A global health alert is not sent out, unless evidence has revealed that the disease is highly contagious or communicable to many people, around the world.

Should people panic, when a global alert is issued?

When people start to demonstrate symptoms of the flu, immediate fear or panic, about the possible spread of the disease, can set in. Fear can spread as rapidly as the disease. Is fear really justified?

Yes, fear about the possible spread of a disease, like the flu virus, is always justified, particularly when it causes a large number of deaths, in one specific area. It is far more serious, when this happens on a global scale.

Panic is not something that should happen, but it does. People should try to remain calm, cool and collected, regardless of the situation at hand. Appropriate measures, to stop or prevent the further spread of the disease, must be taken immediately.

There is always legitimate concern about a disease, like the flu, spreading to another area. It is called an epidemic, when the infection is limited to one area of a country, or to a specific group of people and a pandemic, when it endangers the lives of many people, around the globe.

On the pandemic or global level, it is referred to as Strain A. An epidemic is confined to one area of a country and referred to as Strain B. When the flu affects individuals, it is referred to as Strain C.

Mutations of the flu virus occur regularly. The sudden appearance of different hybrid versions of the flu virus, against which there is no immediate defense, are possible. Vaccines need to be developed and that takes time, as first the virus has to be identified with respect to its source, the

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