Pandemic Preparedness
The Biopreparedness Unit of NSW Health, in conjunction with the Area Health Services, is responsible for preparing for a pandemic within NSW.
Here we provide information to assist the public, community organisations and business, and health professionals prepare for and respond to a pandemic.What is a pandemic?
A pandemic occurs when a disease develops which is able to easily infect humans, and which can readily spread from person to person. Because it is new, people have little or no immunity.
Pandemics may result in large numbers of deaths. In addition, a pandemic imposes a considerable economic burden in the form of hospital and other health care costs and lost productivity.
Pandemic influenza
While any disease may cause a pandemic, the most common pandemics of the last century were caused by influenza. While the likelihood of another influenza pandemic is unknown, it is probably at its highest level in several decades.
The 'Spanish flu' pandemic of 1918-1919 is estimated to have killed at least 40 million people. In 1957 and 1968 two other influenza pandemics caused a significant number of deaths globally (2 million and 1 million respectively).
Swine influenza
Swine Influenza refers to the influenza viruses that occur amongst pigs. Pigs are able to be co-infected with avian (bird), swine and human viruses. Occasionally swine influenza can be transmitted to humans.
More information about the novel influenza A (H1N1) (new influenza) virus thought to be derived from swine is available at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/swine_flu.asp.
Avian influenza
Avian influenza refers to a number of different influenza viruses that occur among birds, only a few of which can cause disease in humans.
Recently a new strain of avian influenza (known as H5N1) has developed that may be transmitted to humans. There is concern that if the virus changes to become easily spread from person to person, a pandemic may occur.
More information on avian influenza is available from the NSW Health Communicable Diseases Branch.
Seasonal influenza
More information on seasonal influenza is available from the NSW Health Communicable Diseases Branch.