With all the talk of a possible future global influenza pandemic, how are you getting prepared?

Question

The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than World War I at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster.

As you plan, it is important to think about the challenges that you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe. What social disruptions will occur? Will you continue to work or face a reduction or loss of income? What will happen to our children in school? How will you individually or as a family survive food/water wise if public transportation systems go down?

What are some of the possible ways to address these challenges and situations?

Answer 1

There is very little chance of a global influenza pandemic now due to all of the attention that it is getting by the medical outfits of the world and the CDC. It is true that if a human transmissible highly lethal influenza outbreak were to occur it would be horrific, but it would also be small and contained since as soon as it is spotted the standard procedure is to trace the infection everywhere it goes and isolate those infected.

The real threat, as the lead epidemiologist at the CDC said, is the one we don't see coming. So I wouldn't spend my time worrying about the possibility of an influenza Armageddon when a much deadlier virus could be very much closer that you think. You just have to take a look at hunter virus in the US, to see a scary possibility far worse than influenza could ever be.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

You refer to pre-antibiotic pademics... You must also consider that we have better nutrition, medicine, higiene, etc, than in 1918-1919 or the 1340's. We do need to prepare . The degreee os "social disruption" will vary from place to place and so will the number of fatalites based on a number of factors. Living in a developed country has its advantages. I wil continue to work as much as possible. We need to plan, not only for possible pandemics but natural disasters as well. Be sensible and have extra food, generators, medications, cash on hand, a network of support, etc. I think that we need to focus on global warming as much as the possibility of pandemic diseases.

Answer 3

We have advanced greatly with treatments and immunizations for the flu since the early 1900's. Im not real sure where u are getting your information, but if you truley believe that the flu is going to destroy the world, you are worrying about something that is not going to happen, at least not in this country. Perhaps in a third world country, but not here. We have flu shots, pneumonia shots, medications of all sorts for all types of flu's.
While I disagree with your obvious paranoia, I do admit that yes, there are, and will continue to be different strains of the flu virus, but will it affect the world to the point you are discribing? I really doubt it.