Pandemic 101

An influenza pandemic may occur when an influenza virus radically changes and can easily infect humans, and against which people have little or no immunity.

An influenza pandemic will likely begin outside North America. A worldwide network of scientists, including scientists in Canada and B.C., closely track influenza activity. This cooperation will help to identify a new influenza virus that could cause a pandemic as early as possible.

Due to increased global travel, it is estimated that it will take no longer than six months from the start of an influenza pandemic somewhere in the world until the time that same virus causes outbreaks in B.C.