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Pandemic Influenza
Spotlight
- Public Health Agency of Canada One-stop Access to Information from the Government of Canada on Influenza
Canada's role in fighting pandemic influenza
Canada's Commitment
Working with Partners
Results
Canada's Commitment
The threat of influenza pandemics has become a global problem needing a global response. It is clear that, today, disease knows no borders. With modern air travel and increasing global mobility, it is easier than ever for a pandemic to spread rapidly around the world. Canada's experience with SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003 demonstrated this clearly.
What is avian flu?
H5N1 avian influenza (otherwise known as avian flu or bird flu) is an infectious disease in birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus that can be transmitted to humans. Avian flu causes an array of symptoms in humans, from mild illness to death, and it can result in widespread epidemics.
H5N1 avian influenza (otherwise known as avian flu or bird flu) is an infectious disease in birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus that can be transmitted to humans. Avian flu causes an array of symptoms in humans, from mild illness to death, and it can result in widespread epidemics.
Since 2005, Canada, through CIDA, has committed more than $100 million to help developing countries prepare for and respond to new pandemics. Canada's earliest contributions focused on helping developing countries hardest hit by avian influenza. This included strengthening existing national public health systems so they could better detect and respond to emerging infectious diseases.
CIDA also supports the efforts of key multilateral organizations to detect and respond quickly to emerging strains of influenza that scientists believe have the potential to become pandemics.
Canada's pandemic preparedness and response programs include:
- Support for improved surveillance and response at all levels, from local to global
- Training of health-care workers to detect and treat severe respiratory illnesses
- Strengthening measures to protect human and animal health in response to emerging infectious diseases
Working with Partners
CIDA works with a number of key partners around the world. No one country or donor can provide all of the resources necessary to fight influenza pandemics.
What is H1N1?
H1N1 influenza (sometimes called swine flu) is an infectious disease caused by a virus that has never before circulated among humans. In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared H1N1 a "pandemic", meaning that it had spread to more than one region. The severity of the disease ranges from very mild symptoms to severe illnesses that can result in death.
In May 2009, Canadian scientists at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency cracked the H1N1 genetic code. This will help scientists around the world better understand the virus.
For more information about influenza pandemics and their severity, please visit the WHO website.
H1N1 influenza (sometimes called swine flu) is an infectious disease caused by a virus that has never before circulated among humans. In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared H1N1 a "pandemic", meaning that it had spread to more than one region. The severity of the disease ranges from very mild symptoms to severe illnesses that can result in death.
In May 2009, Canadian scientists at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency cracked the H1N1 genetic code. This will help scientists around the world better understand the virus.
For more information about influenza pandemics and their severity, please visit the WHO website.
In Canada, CIDA works with other Canadian government departments such as:
- The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
- Health Canada
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)
- The World Health Organization (WHO)
- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
- UN System Influenza Coordinator
Results
Canada's investments are improving surveillance, coordination, communications, monitoring, and evaluation. They are also helping the world prepare for and reduce the impacts of emerging infectious diseases.
You can view results from specific projects supported by CIDA and find out more about CIDA's work in preparing for possible pandemics by means of the Project Browser.
