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Pandemic

Flu outbreaks either appear seasonally or as pandemics. This has nothing to do with the level of danger a virus poses.

Seasonal flu has been known for centuries. Outbreaks are caused by person-to-person transmission, such as coughing, sneezing or touching.

Flu pandemics affect the entire world. New viruses pose more of a threat because human immune systems take time to build resistance.

Animals are also susceptible to flu viruses.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR