The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology issued a report this week saying that H1N1 – also know as the swine flu – will likely infect enough people to overwhelm doctors' offices and hospitals.
Despite that dire warning, the report concluded that the 2009-H1N1 flu will probably not resemble the deadly flu pandemic of 1918-19.
"The issue is not that the virus is more deadly than other flu strains, but rather, that it is likely to infect more people than usual because it is a new strain against which few people have immunity," the advisors said.
The report said the Obama administration's preparations for this fall's resurgence of 2009-H1N1 have been "well-organized and are scientifically grounded."
PCAST, an independent group of scientists from academia and industry, said, however, that some preparations should be improved or accelerated. It advised accelerating the preparation of flu vaccines, clarifying guidelines for the use of antiviral medicines, upgrading the current system for tracking the pandemic and accelerating the development of communication strategies, including Web-based social networking.
PCAST advisors emphasized that individuals can have a potentially big impact on the flu season's severity. Frequent hand-washing and staying home from school or work when sick will be crucial.
"This virus has pulled us all together in common cause," said PCAST Co-Chairman Eric Lander, who is president and director of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. "The preparations are the best ever for an influenza pandemic."
President Barack Obama discussed the report at length with PCAST members, according to John Brennan, White House Homeland Security Advisor.
He said administration officials said they will prepare for the fall flu season as they did in the spring, "hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Obama has made it clear he believes responding to the flu is "a shared responsibility" and "one that requires the efforts of every American and cooperation between the private and public sectors."
According to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, it's not possible to predict how the 2009-H1N1 virus or the upcoming influenza season will play out.
"HIN1 influenza has the potential to affect virtually every aspect of our lives, from our economy and national security to our education system," she said. "It may not be possible to stop influenza, but we can reduce the number of people who become severely ill by preparing well and acting effectively."
Photo by hmerinomx obtained and used via Creative Commons license.