Preparing for Pandemic Influenza

An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus, like the H1N1 virus, emerges and starts spreading as easily as normal influenza.  Pandemics can result in millions of deaths and major disruptions of society, but their effects can be mitigated. That is why this nation, as well as the rest of the world, is undertaking preparations to quickly identify an emerging pandemic and then delay its spread while countermeasures can be developed.