Approximately 30 percent of the world's population was infected and about 50 million people died - many within 48 hours of becoming ill. It is uncertain which population groups will be at the highest risk of disease and death. At this time, they do not spread readily from person to person. It was caused by an H1N1 strain of influenza A. Updated: November 2018 What is a pandemic? This strain no longer circulates in humans. The last influenza pandemic was in 2009-2010 and experts agree it is inevitable another will occur. If these three criteria are met, the virus can then spread globally. Several human flu pandemics occur each century, affecting millions of people. Quarantine efforts did not prevent the disease from spreading globally, except possibly to delay its introduction into Australia. The first wave of illness struck Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA. Deaths from this virus peaked in December 1968 and January 1969, with those over the age of 65 most likely to die. Whilst planning for the next flu pandemic is critical and even mandatory for some industries such as healthcare and essential services, every organisation is encouraged to undertake a risk assessment, and ensure business continuity plans encompass the pandemic flu threat. Schools may be temporarily closed, mass gatherings may be cancelled, and in some jurisdictions public health authorities may impose travel restrictions. Spanish flu was especially able to kill young adults between the ages of 15 and 35, as well as the very young, the elderly and the infirm. No antibiotics or vaccinations were available during this pandemic. Bird flu A strains H5N1 and H7N9, and MERS-CoV have met the first two of the criteria above. Some cause more severe illness and are more infectious than others. Waves may last weeks to months. The elderly had the highest rates of death. By the time the virus reached Australia, the flu strain was not as virulent serious but may have remained active for a longer period. No one can predict which virus strain will cause the next pandemic, how rapidly the disease will spread, or how severe it will be. Pandemic planning Pandemic planning may mitigate some of these impacts. A form of this virus still circulates as seasonal flu. The severity of the pandemic depends on the qualities of the virus. A vaccine is unlikely to be available in the first months of the pandemic, and it is uncertain if there will be an effective antiviral against a new pandemic virus. The pandemic lasted from September 1968 until March 1969. A pandemic is a world-wide disease outbreak. Due to its isolation, Australia remained unaffected until 1919. Potentially business may significantly impacted due to absenteeism, as employees fall sick or have to care for sick relatives. Low immunity rates in people less than 65 years of age allowed scientists to predict a pandemic and a vaccine became available in August 1957. The virus may have originated in Northern France or the USA. Influenza pandemics of the 20th and 21st Century Three pandemics occurred during the 20th century with the "Spanish Flu" being by far the most severe. What we do know Flu pandemics spread in waves. The pandemic occurred in waves and most deaths occurred between September 1957 and March 1958. Quarantines and other public health interventions may slow but are unlikely to prevent global spread. However if they develop this ability, they could cause a pandemic. Even though this was the era before commercial airline travel, the disease spread across the world within 2 months.。
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