Listening to Communities-- Pandemic FAQ

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#990000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="http://www.gcchc.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gcchc.org"><U>Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U>Calendar</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Grant County Information"><U>Grant County Information</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Health Council"><U>Health Council</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Council Staff"><U>Council Staff</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Community Meetings "><U>Community Meetings </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="InterAgency Alliance"><U>InterAgency Alliance</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Highlights "><U>Highlights </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id453.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Resource Directory 2007"><U>Resource Directory 2007</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Listening to Communities-- Pandemic FAQ</B></div> <div> <B>Frequently Asked Questions</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_is_listening_to_communities_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What is Listening to Communities?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#is_there_a_listening_to_communities" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Is there a Listening to Communities event in my area?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#who_are_the_sponsors_of_listening_to" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Who are the sponsors of Listening to Communities?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#how_can_i_contact_listening_to" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">How can I contact Listening to Communities?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_is_an_influenza_pandemic_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What is an influenza pandemic?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_s_the_difference_between_pandemic" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What’s the difference between pandemic influenza and the influenza that makes people sick every year?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#is_an_influenza_pandemic_really_going" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Is an influenza pandemic really going to happen, or is this all just hype?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#when_will_an_influenza_pandemic_occur_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">When will an influenza pandemic occur?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#can_we_stop_a_pandemic_from_occurring_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Can we stop a pandemic from occurring?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#have_there_been_other_pandemics_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Have there been other pandemics?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#is_the_world_prepared_for_a_pandemic_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Is the world prepared for a pandemic?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_would_be_the_impact_of_a_pandemic_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What would be the impact of a pandemic?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#would_new_mexico_be_affected_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Would New Mexico be affected?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#how_long_might_an_influenza_pandemic" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">How long might an influenza pandemic last?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#who_is_most_susceptible_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Who is most susceptible?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#will_a_flu_shot_protect_me_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Will a flu shot protect me?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#is_there_a_vaccine_for_this_new_form_of" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Is there a vaccine for this new form of influenza?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_about_antiviral_medications_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What about antiviral medications?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_can_i_do_to_protect_myself_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What can I do to protect myself?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_can_i_do_to_prepare_" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> What can I do to prepare?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_if_someone_in_my_household_gets" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What if someone in my household gets sick?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#how_might_an_influenza_pandemic_affect" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">How might an influenza pandemic affect my community?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#how_might_an_influenza_pandemic_affect_1" TITLE="Listening to Communities Pandemic FAQ"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">How might an influenza pandemic affect the world?</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="what_is_listening_to_communities_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What is Listening to Communities?</B></div> <div> <B>A: Listening to Communities </B>is a project designed to help communities address the</div> <div> threat of a global outbreak of influenza and its potential effects. It is based on the</div> <div> assumption that local communities can best prepare for such an event when residents and</div> <div> policymakers come together to share information, concerns and ideas.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="is_there_a_listening_to_communities"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Is there a Listening to Communities event in my area?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Four town hall meetings are planned in Grant County, in Silver City, Cliff/Gila, the</div> <div> tri-city area of Bayard, Santa Clara, and Hurley, and the Mimbres. For a complete list of</div> <div> <B>Listening to Communities </B>events, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id505.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pandemic Flu Town Halls"><U>click here</U></A>.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="who_are_the_sponsors_of_listening_to"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Who are the sponsors of Listening to Communities?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Listening to Communities is a project of the New Mexico Department of Health and</div> <div> the University of New Mexico Institute for Public Health, with local support from the</div> <div> Grant County Community Health Council, the Grant County Office of Emergency</div> <div> Management, Gila Regional Medical Center, and the Black Range Resource</div> <div> Conservation and Development Council.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="how_can_i_contact_listening_to"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>How can I contact Listening to Communities?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>E-mail <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:listening@gcchc.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:listening@gcchc.org"><U>listening@gcchc.org</U></A> </FONT>or call 388-1198</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="what_is_an_influenza_pandemic_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What is an influenza pandemic?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new</div> <div> influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human</div> <div> population, begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person</div> <div> worldwide.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="what_s_the_difference_between_pandemic"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What’s the difference between pandemic influenza and the influenza that makes</B></div> <div> <B>people sick every year?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>The seasonal flu is caused by a strain of influenza virus that changes slightly every</div> <div> year. Because the virus has been circulating in the human population for many years,</div> <div> most people have at least some immunity to it. Influenza pandemics occur when a new</div> <div> strain of the influenza virus – no one will have immunity to it. If a pandemic influenza</div> <div> virus emerges, it will spread globally, inevitably, and unstoppably. Every person in the</div> <div> world would be susceptible. Measures such as border closures and travel restrictions</div> <div> might delay arrival of the virus in some countries or cities, but it cannot be stopped.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="is_an_influenza_pandemic_really_going"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Is an influenza pandemic really going to happen, or is this all just hype?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Most experts agree that a pandemic is imminent. Right now, the most likely candidate</div> <div> appears to be H5N1, the “bird flu” virus currently circulating in Asia.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="when_will_an_influenza_pandemic_occur_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>When will an influenza pandemic occur?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Scientists do not know exactly when a pandemic will occur, but most agree that one is</div> <div> “imminent.” A pandemic may be a decade away, or it may occur during the next few</div> <div> months or years.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="can_we_stop_a_pandemic_from_occurring_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Can we stop a pandemic from occurring?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Vaccinating and culling birds, imposing travel restrictions and other actions may</div> <div> delay or slow the spread of pandemic disease. But the reality of a coming pandemic</div> <div> cannot be avoided. Only its impact can be lessened.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="have_there_been_other_pandemics_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Have there been other pandemics?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Ten influenza pandemics have occurred over the past 300 years. During the twentieth</div> <div> century, three influenza pandemics occurred: one in 1918-1919, one in 1957-58 and the</div> <div> last one in 1968-69. The 1918-19 pandemic killed 50 to 100 million people globally and</div> <div> at least 650,000 people in the United States. The two later pandemics, which were</div> <div> considered mild, killed several tens of thousands of Americans.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="is_the_world_prepared_for_a_pandemic_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Is the world prepared for a pandemic?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Some governments and international health agencies such as World Health</div> <div> Organization have started to prepare for a pandemic, but much more needs to be done by</div> <div> national, state, and local governments, institutions, businesses, <I>and </I>individuals.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="what_would_be_the_impact_of_a_pandemic_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What would be the impact of a pandemic?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Today, with a population of 6.5 billion, more than three times that of 1918, even a</div> <div> "mild" pandemic could kill many millions of people. The Centers for Disease Control</div> <div> predicts that during a "medium-level epidemic" up to 207,000 Americans would die,</div> <div> 734,000 would be hospitalized, and about a third of the U.S. population would fall ill.</div> <div> Direct medical costs would top $166 billion, not including the costs of vaccination. The</div> <div> effects of a severe epidemic, such as one caused by an H5N1 avian influenza that is</div> <div> transmittable from human to human, would be beyond imagination. Assuming a mortality</div> <div> rate of 20 percent and 80 million illnesses, 16 million Americans could die. Globally,</div> <div> especially in developing countries, the mortality rate would be much higher.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="would_new_mexico_be_affected_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Would New Mexico be affected?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Yes. All areas of the world would be affected. The Centers for Diseases Control</div> <div> predicts that nearly one-third (432,438) of New Mexicans will fall ill. Of those, 14,504</div> <div> people will be hospitalized, and 3,244 people will die during an influenza pandemic.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="how_long_might_an_influenza_pandemic"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>How long might an influenza pandemic last?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>No one knows exactly how long a pandemic might last, but estimates range from one</div> <div> to three years. Pandemic disease tends to spread in waves, with each peak of illness</div> <div> lasting up to three months.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="who_is_most_susceptible_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Who is most susceptible?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Usually influenza is most dangerous for the very young, the very old, and those with</div> <div> compromised immune systems. But in pandemic influenza, people with the strongest</div> <div> immune systems are the must vulnerable. More than half of the people killed in the 1918-</div> <div> 1919 pandemic were 18 to 40 years old and generally healthy. Pregnant women were also</div> <div> extremely vulnerable. This occurs because of a virus-induced response of the victim's</div> <div> immune system called a cytokine storm. The person’s immune system attempts to fight</div> <div> the disease and in doing so severely damages the lungs, resulting in a condition called</div> <div> acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Victims of H5N1 have also suffered from</div> <div> cytokine storms.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="will_a_flu_shot_protect_me_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Will a flu shot protect me?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>A flu shot will not protect you from a new strain of influenza. However, it’s a good</div> <div> idea to get a flu shot, because it will help to reduce the risk that you will be infected with</div> <div> both strains of influenza at the same time.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="is_there_a_vaccine_for_this_new_form_of"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Is there a vaccine for this new form of influenza?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Because vaccines need to “match” the virus, a vaccine cannot be developed until the</div> <div> virus develops a form that allows it to pass rapidly from human to human. Scientists</div> <div> estimate that it would take at least six to nine months after the beginning of a pandemic to</div> <div> develop a vaccine. Even after a vaccine is developed, it’s likely to be in short supply.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="what_about_antiviral_medications_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What about antiviral medications?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>There’s no clinical evidence that current antiviral medications, including Tamiflu, are</div> <div> effective against H5N1 strains of avian influenza. If available, these drugs will be in short</div> <div> supply and their use will probably be limited to health-care providers.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="what_can_i_do_to_protect_myself_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What can I do to protect myself?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Get a pneumonia shot and learn about good hygiene measures. In the 1957-58 and</div> <div> 1968-69 pandemics, the primary cause of death was secondary bacterial pneumonias that</div> <div> infected lungs weakened by influenza. Although such bacterial infections can often be</div> <div> treated by antibiotics, these drugs would be either unavailable or in short supply for much</div> <div> of the global population during a pandemic.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="what_can_i_do_to_prepare_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What can I do to prepare?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Currently, public health experts recommend that people practice “social isolation,”</div> <div> which means being ready to stay home and avoid contact with others during each wave of</div> <div> pandemic illness. That could last as long as three months at a time. Stock up on enough</div> <div> food to feed each person in your household for about three months. Choose foods that</div> <div> will last, such as rice, beans, canned and dried goods. Ask your doctor about getting a</div> <div> supply of any medications you take regularly.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="what_if_someone_in_my_household_gets"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What if someone in my household gets sick?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Be prepared to care for people in the home. Health-care systems are likely to be</div> <div> overwhelmed. Stock up on over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen</div> <div> (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil). Purchase a supply of personal protective equipment,</div> <div> including N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, and goggles. For more information about</div> <div> caring for any flu patient at home, see the Listening to Communities Guide to Home</div> <div> Care (To come!).</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="how_might_an_influenza_pandemic_affect"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>How might an influenza pandemic affect my community?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>An influenza pandemic will affect every sector of our communities. Health-care</div> <div> systems will be overloaded and medical supplies inadequate. Schools and businesses will</div> <div> close and events will be cancelled. Supplies – including food, over-the-counter medicines</div> <div> and medicines for chronic diseases, will be difficult to obtain. Services such as water,</div> <div> gas, and electricity may be cut off.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q: </B><B> <A NAME="how_might_an_influenza_pandemic_affect_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>How might an influenza pandemic affect the world?</B></div> <div> <B>A: </B>Some countries might impose quarantines or close borders and airports. Such closures</div> <div> would interrupt trade, travel, and productivity, but scientists generally agree that they</div> <div> would do little to stop the spread of influenza. Stock markets worldwide would drop</div> <div> dramatically. Pandemic disease would also affect local and global security, as police and</div> <div> armed forces also fall ill.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>