Learning from the 2009 Pandemic

• Published in: InnovAiT: Education and inspiration for general practice
• Main Author: Young, Peter
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2011
• Subjects: Avian flu
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/innovait/inr178; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1093/innovait/inr178; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1093/innovait/inr178

When swine flu (H1N1) arrived into Glasgow airport from Mexico on 27 April 2009, the UK was catapulted into its most extensive viral management programme to date. Following the emergence of H5N1 avian flu in the Far East over a decade earlier, health services had been alert to the possibility of a new worldwide pandemic. Although not the anticipated virus, it was thought that this mongrelized swine and human strain could emulate the Spanish flu of 1918. Working as a general practice registrar during this period was challenging and offered a unique learning experience. Here are some important points to help trainees prepare for similar events in future.