This book aims to assist 'non-expert' public health professionals and the well-qualified lay-person to gain a rapid overview of pandemic influenza. It comprises 16 chapters written by experts with real-life experience of their subjects. It provides a comprehensive overview of pandemic influenza...

This chapter concerns emergency preparedness and business/service continuity in relation to pandemic influenza, with emphasis on the health sector. Benefits derived from such preparedness and planning are highlighted.

This chapter highlights the importance of exercises in evaluating pandemic influenza preparedness, with descriptions of the various types of exercises that can be used in pandemic influenza preparedness. Potential problems in the design of pandemic influenza exercises are also explored.

This chapter describes the course of the health service response to A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic influenza at a local level in the UK. The challenges to a local pandemic response, the key local functions of the initial response phase, the key aspects of the antiviral treatment phase, the availability of...

This chapter outlines issues from a health perspective and some of the approaches that countries and international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, have taken and are continuing to take to address the ethical issues related to influenza pandemic preparedness and response. The...

This chapter describes the Hajj healthcare infrastructure, the public health security planning in advance of the November 2009 Hajj, and the Hajj pilgrim requirements in Saudi Arabia. The experience of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic and its management with regard to Hajj, including screening at...

This chapter focuses on what is known, what can be deduced and what is still unknown about influenza transmission. It provides answers to the following questions: What are the most important routes of transmission for influenza? What infection control measures can be used to reduce influenza...

This chapter explores some of the possible effects of a future pandemic on societal functioning. It provides answers to the following questions: Should pandemic planning focus on healthcare provision alone? How might non-health businesses be affected by the pandemic? Can we learn from other events? ...

The ethical issues raised by an influenza pandemic range from wide questions of global justice to medical treatment of individuals. This chapter outlines issues from a health perspective and some of the approaches that countries and international organizations, such as the WHO, have taken to...