Open AccessAre we prepared to help low‐resource communities cope with a severe influenza pandemic?
Author(s) -
Starbuck Eric S.,
von Bernuth Rudolph,
Bolles Kathryn,
Koepsell Jeanne
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12040
Subject(s) - pandemic , preparedness , influenza a virus subtype h5n1 , pandemic influenza , covid-19 , transmission (telecommunications) , influenza pandemic , resource (disambiguation) , medicine , transmissibility (structural dynamics) , business , medical emergency , virology , intensive care medicine , virus , political science , computer science , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law , telecommunications , computer network , pathology , physics , vibration isolation , quantum mechanics , vibration
Please cite this paper as: Starbuck et al (2012) Are we prepared to help low‐resource communities cope with a severe influenza pandemic? Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI: 10.1111/irv.12040. Recent research involving lab‐modified H5N1 influenza viruses with increased transmissibility and the ongoing evolution of the virus in nature should remind us of the continuing importance of preparedness for a severe influenza pandemic. Current vaccine technology and antiviral supply remain inadequate, and in a severe pandemic, most low‐resource communities will fail to receive adequate medical supplies. However, with suitable guidance, these communities can take appropriate actions without substantial outside resources to reduce influenza transmission and care for the ill. Such guidance should be completed, and support provided to developing countries to adapt it for their settings and prepare for implementation.