Open Access100 Years of Medical Countermeasures and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
Author(s) -
Barbara Jester,
Timothy M. Uyeki,
Anita Patel,
Lisa M. Koonin,
Daniel B. Jernigan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2018.304586
Subject(s) - pandemic , preparedness , medicine , psychological intervention , influenza pandemic , environmental health , pandemic influenza , covid-19 , medical emergency , intensive care medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty) , nursing , political science , disease , pathology , law
The 1918 influenza pandemic spread rapidly around the globe, leading to high mortality and social disruption. The countermeasures available to mitigate the pandemic were limited and relied on nonpharmaceutical interventions. Over the past 100 years, improvements in medical care, influenza vaccines, antiviral medications, community mitigation efforts, diagnosis, and communications have improved pandemic response. A number of gaps remain, including vaccines that are more rapidly manufactured, antiviral drugs that are more effective and available, and better respiratory protective devices.