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Pandemic
Alert |
In
the 2009 revision of the phase descriptions,
the World Health Organization (WHO) has
retained the use of a six-phased approach
for easy incorporation of new recommendations
and approaches into existing national
preparedness and response plans. The
grouping
and description of pandemic
phases have been revised to make them
easier to understand, more precise, and
based upon observable phenomena. Phases
1–3 correlate with preparedness,
including capacity development and response
planning activities, while Phases
4–6
clearly signal the need for response
and mitigation efforts. Furthermore,
periods after the first pandemic wave
are elaborated to
facilitate post pandemic
recovery activities.
>
WHO - Phases of Pandemic Alerts http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/
WHO - Pandemic Preparedness
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/index.html
PandemicFlu.gov - Swine Influenza (H1N1) Information
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ |
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Phase
1- 3
In
nature, influenza viruses
circulate continuously
among animals, especially
birds. Even though
such viruses might
theoretically
develop
into pandemic viruses,
in Phase 1 no
viruses circulating
among animals have
been reported to cause
infections in humans.
In Phase
2 an animal influenza virus
circulating among domesticated or wild
animals is known to have caused infection
in humans,
and is therefore considered
a potential pandemic threat.
In Phase
3, an animal or human-animal
influenza reassortant virus has caused
sporadic cases or small clusters of disease
in people,
but has not resulted in human-to-human
transmission sufficient to sustain community-level
outbreaks. Limited human-to-human
transmission
may occur under some circumstances, for
example, when there is close contact
between an infected person and an unprotected
caregiver. However, limited transmission
under such restricted circumstances does
not indicate that the virus has gained
the level of transmissibility among humans
necessary to cause a pandemic.
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Phase
4 is
characterized by verified human-to-human
transmission of an animal or human-animal
influenza reassortant virus able
to cause “community-level
outbreaks.” The ability to
cause sustained disease outbreaks
in a community marks a significant
upwards
shift in the risk for a
pandemic. Any country that suspects
or has verified such an event should
urgently consult with WHO so that
the situation can be jointly assessed
and a decision made by the affected
country if implementation of a
rapid pandemic containment
operation
is warranted. Phase 4 indicates
a significant increase in risk
of a pandemic but does not necessarily
mean that a pandemic is a forgone
conclusion. |
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Phase
5 is
characterized by human-to-human spread
of the virus into at least two countries
in one WHO region. While most countries
will not be affected at this stage, the
declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal
that a pandemic is imminent and that
the time to finalize the organization,
communication, and implementation of
the planned mitigation measures is short.
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Phase
6, the
pandemic phase, is characterized by community
level outbreaks in at least one other
country in a different WHO region in
addition to the criteria defined in Phase
5. Designation of this phase will indicate
that a global pandemic is under way.
WHO
Reference Page >
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Assessing
the Pandemic Threat
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Be
Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!
Your Emergency Preparedness
Team
Kings County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management
280 Campus Drive Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 582-3211, Ext. 2634
www.kingscountyoem.com
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