The threat of influenza is eve present because of its unpredictability and the likely occurrence of new types of infection-causing virus. In 1918, influenza pandemic killed about 50 million people, in 1957, the disease killed about 2 million people in Asia, and in 19868, and the disease killed about a million people in Hong Kong. The most recent Influenza Epidemic was in 2009 and it was caused by a strain of virus; Influenza A (H1N1) (WHO, 2019). In estimation, in its first year, it gilled over 400,000 people globally.
It is hard to put a finger on the environmental factors that would enhance the intensity of Influenza in the case of a pandemic. However variations in humidity, PH, temperature, and pollution maybe some of the areas to look at. Countries in low latitudes may face higher risks. Such an outbreak as was in 2009, ought to have made a wakeup call towards overcoming cultural barriers, especially towards vaccine acceptance. In developing countries, for example, there are segments of people who do not believe in medicine; especially vaccination; however, there would be need for more sensitization. Each country is influenced by striving for health equity through affordable medical arrangements. As World Health Organization points out, the focus should be on the world population’s health and stamina to overcome the most likely Influenza pandemic.
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"Pandemic Emergency: The case of Influenza".
The World Health Organization websites are appropriate in giving the global updates of the disease and in giving the global approaches needed towards what WHO terms as ‘inevitable occurrence’ (World Health Organization, 2016). WHO calls on its member states to ensure more equitability in getting the needed vaccines and medicines. The fact that its wings are spread to countries such as Armenia and Ukraine, makes it an ideal website for a global view. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also a good cite especially for US citizens to get all the information on government plans ad efforts (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). However it may not serve sufficiently for global updates. These websites, however, need to approach their content on a multidisciplinary approach so that aspects of staff education, community education vaccination of target groups, and financial guidelines on the same (Oxford Academic, 2018).
Most of the literature on these websites seems to concentrate on the preparedness to deal with influenza pandemic in case of its stories. This makes the literature concentrate less on such aspects as hygiene habits such as touching one’s nose, eyes, and mouth with dirty hands. Moreover, the research on the websites are not comprehensive on how to sensitize locals in some vulnerable countries; especially on the issue of vaccines
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, 8 7). National pandemic strategy. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/national-strategy/index.html
- Oxford Academic. (2018, 2 28). A universal influenza vaccine: The strategic plan for the national institute of allergy and infectious diseases. Retrieved from The Journal of Infectious Diseases: https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/218/3/347/4904047/
- WHO. (2019, 3 11). 8 Things to know about pandemic influenza. Retrieved from World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/8-things-to-know-about-pandemic-influenza
- World Health Organization. (2016, 6 4). Pandemic Influenza. Retrieved from World Health Organization: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/communicable-diseases/influenza/pandemic-influenza
