Pandemic Flu
While there is no flu pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic as of March 11, 2020. Read more on the WHO website - WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020
A pandemic happens when a new virus spreads to people all over the world. Because the virus is new, many more people are likely to get sick after being exposed. COVID-19 is a new coronavirus in humans. Learn more about COVID-19 at:
- the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/index.asp.
Reduce impact of a pandemic
You can take actions that can help delay or reduce the impact of a pandemic.
VA, all levels of government and others are taking steps to plan and prepare for pandemic flu. Read VA’s pandemic influenza plan.
Stay up-to-date
Subscribe to email updates about flu.
Check flu activity and surveillance reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Pandemic flu is not the same as seasonal flu. Pandemic flu might make people sicker than seasonal flu and might spread easily because there is no vaccine at first. Learn more about pandemic flu and how it relates to seasonal flu.
Reduce impact of a pandemic
You can take actions that can help delay or reduce the impact of a pandemic.
VA, all levels of government and others are taking steps to plan and prepare for pandemic flu. Read VA’s pandemic influenza plan.
Stay up-to-date
Subscribe to email updates about flu.
Check flu activity and surveillance reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
See disease outbreak news from the World Health Organization.