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The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, in collaboration with the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management and many other partners throughout San Antonio and Bexar County, is actively preparing for a potential pandemic of influenza in our community |
Pandemic flu is a global outbreak, or pandemic, of a highly infectious and severe strain of influenza virus that has been adapted to humans and spreads easily from person to person. Pandemic flu causes severe illness across all age groups. H5N1, the current strain of bird flu, could become a pandemic strain, but at this time it can not be passed from person to person.
The arrival of pandemic flu in our community is not likely to hit in one burst, but rather as a slow process developing over time. Once a full-scale pandemic occurs, 30-50% of our population may become ill, which would have a huge impact on our community.
Seasonal Flu
Pandemic Flu
Occurs yearly, October- March
Occurs in cycles of 10-40 years,
any time of the year
Affects 5-20%of the population, particularly
the elderly, infants, and people with
existing medical conditions
Affects 25-50% of the population, particularly
healthy young adults
In the US, kills 36,000- 40,000,
with most deaths in the high risk groups
In the US, 70,000 deaths(1957-58) to 500,000
Deaths (1918)
Vaccine available based
upon currently
circulating virus strains
Caused by a new virus strain,
no vaccine would
be immediately
available. New vaccine production requires at least six months
| Hazardous Materials |
| Severe Flooding |
| Fire |
| Extreme Heat |
| Hurricane |
| Terrorism |
| Pandemic Flu |
| Tornado |
| Winter Storms |
| Earthquake |
