Preparing for the Next Influenza Pandemic: A Reemerging Infection
Authors: Peter A. Gross
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1996)

Editorials1 April 1996Preparing for the Next Influenza Pandemic: A Reemerging InfectionPeter A. Gross, MDPeter A. Gross, MDHackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ 07601-1991Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-124-7-199604010-00010 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail If a foreign army invaded the United States and in a few months ravaged the population, killing 22 000 men, women, and children and then leaving, the loss would be overwhelming, and the nation would turn its collective efforts to preventing such a tragedy from occurring again [1]. In fact, this invasion occurs almost every year in the United States, but the foreign invader is a pestilence: a new strain of influenza virus. And we are not shocked by the tragedy, and we do not make every effort to prevent its recurrence. While "emerging" infectious diseases—such as those caused by ...References1. Farr W. Cholera epidemic 1848-49. In: Humphreys NA, ed. Vital Statistics: A Memorial Volume of Selections from the Reports and Writings of William Farr. London: The Sanitary Institute of Great Britain; 1885:333-4. Google Scholar2. Lederberg J, Shope RE, Oaks SC Jr, eds. Emerging Infections: Microbial Threats to Health in the United States. Washington, DC: National Academy Pr; 1992. Google Scholar3. National Center for Infectious Diseases. Addressing Emerging Infectious Disease Threats: A Prevention Strategy for the United States. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1994. Google Scholar4. Kilbourne ED. History of influenza. In: Influenza. New York: Plenum; 1987: 3-22. Google Scholar5. Experts warn of possibility of outbreaks of new strains of flu. New York Times. 17 Dec 1995:29. Google Scholar6. Webster RG, Schafer JR, Suss J, Bean WJ Jr, Kawaoka Y. Evolution and ecology of influenza viruses. 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Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1993:214-94. Google Scholar17. Dowdle WR. Past, present, and future of influenza control: opening remarks. In: Hannoun C, Kendal AP, Klenk HD, Ruber FL, eds. Options for the Control of Influenza II: Proceedings of the International Conference on Options for the Control of Influenza, Courchevel, 27 September-2 October, 1992. New York: Excerpta Medica; 1993:3-8. Google Scholar18. Sechrest L, Backer TE, Rogers EM. Synthesis of ideas for effective dissemination. In: Sechrest L, Backer TE, Rogers EM, Campbell TF, Grady ML, eds. Effective Dissemination of Clinical and Health Information: Conference Summary. AHCPR Pub. No. 95-0015. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; 1994:187-196. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ 07601-1991Corresponding Author: Peter A. Gross, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601-1991. 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