[StrongInTheArm]

The pandemic status is just a term which describes the geographical spread of a disease. It does not mean the disease is any more likely to kill you then it was before, just that you are more likely to get it, because it has spread more widely.

The fear isn't so much for first world countries such as the USA where stock piles of anti-viral drugs are plentiful. The fear is for third world countries that cannot cope with such a major health issue. The fear is that deaths in the third world, will as a consequence, be very high.

Notice that in Australia the number of reported cases has shot up dramatically over the last week or so. This is because they are in their winter flu season. The numbers of cases are expected to dramatically rise as the autumn and winter approach. That will be the most dangerous time in the Northern hemisphere, not least because a vaccine is not predicted to be fully available until that time. Lead times for the mass production of any vaccine is expected to lag behind the flu season meaning it will not be widely available when it is most needed.

As a consequence any available stocks will, in the UK at least, be used to vaccinate health professionals and those most in need.

Strangely enough, those over 65 tend not to be affected by the H1N1 strain, this might be because they have already been exposed to variants of it in the past. Anyone younger are thought to be vulnerable to contracting the disease.

The great fear is that this strain will mutate into a more virulent form. As more and more people contract it, this is more likely to happen.