Epidemic influenza: its causation and prevention

Abstract

Epidemic influenza is important because :- 1). It is the cause of much civic and domestic disruption, and a source of economic loss to the country. 2). It carries a risk of death, particularly in old people. 3). An epidemic as severe as the 1918 - 19 pandemic, might, as far as we know, occur any year. It is therefore justifiable to try to find a way to prevent it.An epidemic occurs when a population's combined general and immunological resistance is overcome by the infectivity and virulence of the influenza virus. The antigenic variation of the virus is a very important factor in bringing this about.An epidemic can be limited by :- 1). Steps to prevent spread of infection in the community; in particular the early isolation of cases. 2). A high general resistance, and good respiratory health, in the population. 3). Vaccination with an up-to-date vaccine, prepared from the virus causing the attack, or one very closely allied to it.It is not yet possible, and perhaps never will be possible, to prevent an epidemic from spreading, but by these measures its worst effects, civic disruption and the deaths from influenza, can be prevented.