title: [Influenza--old medical problem].
abstract: Influenza surveillance and increase of the percentage of population vaccinated against influenza have priority significance to combat influenza. In Poland 8.3% of the population have been vaccinated against influenza during the last epidemic season. Consequences of influenza infections are medical as well as economic. In the USA economic costs of influenza range, depending on the epidemic season, from 76 billions to 167 billions US dollars. WHO, prestigious Scientific Societies and European Union appeal to increase influenza vaccination coverage. These vaccinations are the most effective and the cheapest way to fight against influenza. During 6 years avian influenza virus, breaking species barrier, caused death of over 100 persons. Despite culling of millions of poultry, influenza virus A/H5N1/ caused infections in birds in many countries. There is unanimous conviction that the next influenza pandemic is an inevitable event. At present, it is not possible to answer two questions: when it will happen and what subtype will cause pandemic. All countries were obliged to prepare emergency plans for the next influenza pandemic.
authors.affiliation: Krajowy Ośrodek ds. Grypy, Państwowy Zakład Higieny.
authors.forename: Lidia B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Brydak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000517:prevention & control; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines