Swine flu

Influenza pandemics
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) an influenza pandemic occurs when
a new strain of influenza A virus appears, against which the human population has no
immunity resulting in several, simultaneous epidemics worldwide with enormous numbers
of deaths and illness1.

The most severe influenza pandemics to date include:
• ‘Spanish flu’ A (H1N1): 1918 caused in excess of 30 million deaths worldwide
• ‘Asian flu’ A (H2N2): 1958 caused 1 million deaths worldwide
• ‘Hong Kong flu’ A (H3N2): 1968 caused 800,000 deaths worldwide in six weeks

The WHO believes that we are as close to the next pandemic as we have been any time in
the past 37 years, with two of the three widely-recognised prerequisites for a human
pandemic met to date in the avian influenza outbreak in East Asia. Firstly, a new influenza
virus strain has emerged (H5N1), and secondly, the virus has spread to humans. The final
barrier will be the transmission of the virus from human to human.

A new pandemic threat: Avian influenza
Experts believe the next influenza pandemic could be triggered by the mutation of an avian
influenza virus (hosted in poultry) into a virus that can transmit from human to human.
Most avian influenza viruses are not infectious to humans; however there have been human
cases of avian influenza resulting from close contact with poultry. If a human and an avian
influenza virus strain co-infect a human or other animal species, experts fear the virus may
mutate to create a completely new pandemic strain.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the developing foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless unless the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.