Emerging Infectious Diseases
What is the risk of emerging infectious diseases to Warwickshire?
Emerging infectious diseases could cause large numbers of newly-exposed people to fall ill. These are diseases that have recently been recognised or where cases have increased over the last 20 years in a specific place or among a specific population.
The Local Health Resilience Partnership (LHRP) is a strategic forum for Warwickshire organisations in the local health sector. It facilitates local planning and co-ordination amongst health agencies.
A recent example of an emerging infectious disease is monkeypox, which saw cases increase in the UK and globally in 2022, prompting local health authorities to take swift action to control its spread.
How could emerging infectious diseases
affect you and your family?
Emerging infectious diseases have the potential to cause large numbers of newly-exposed people to fall ill. These are diseases which have recently been recognised or where cases have increased over the last 20 years in a specific place or among a specific population.
Effects on you could include:
- Risk to life
- Travel disruption/ restrictions
- Health impacts on the elderly and vulnerable individuals
- Potential mental health impacts due to stress, anxiety, or isolation during outbreaks.
We can all be better prepared to
respond and recover from emerging infectious diseases
Follow these practical steps so you and your family can be better prepared for emerging infectious diseases:
1
Consult the travel immunisation guidance
If you are travelling abroad, consult the travel immunisation guidance and make sure your protections are up to date. Find out more about travel vaccinations on the NHS travel vaccination advice website.
Find out more about travel vaccinations
2
Take simple precautions if you have a health condition
If you have a pre-existing health condition, you should follow your doctor’s advice to manage your condition and take simple precautions such as packing an extra inhaler or any other necessary medication.
How to prepare
your business
To respond to emerging infectious diseases
Stay up to date with the latest information and guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on any emerging infectious diseases.
Ensure you follow any national or local temporary restrictions that have been put in place to help reduce the risk of spreading the disease.
Refer to the NHS Website for information on the signs, symptoms and treatment options for the emerging disease of concern.
If you have concerns about early symptoms then call the 24/7 NHS non-emergency number 111.
For emergencies dial 999.
Find your emergency contacts for emerging infectious diseases
Recovering from emerging infectious diseases
Stay up to date as guidance changes and restrictions are lifted (if applicable), by visiting the GOV.UK website.
Ensure you follow the additional guidance relevant to any pre-existing health conditions you have. If you’re not sure what to do then contact 111 or your GP for advice.
What can you do to support your Community?
Identify neighbours who may need assistance (such as delivery of essential supplies) or who may be able to provide assistance to you in the event of restrictions on movement or if you need to self-isolate.
What is being done to become
better prepared?
We work together to plan to:
- Manage the demand on the NHS and social care.
- Distribute medication for treatment or prophylaxis to the public.
- Oversee public awareness and media management.
- Manage excessive levels of death.
- Maintain essential services during outbreaks, such as waste collection, emergency housing, and safeguarding.
Who is responsible for managing
emerging infectious diseases in the county?
UK Health Security Agency – GOV.UK
Pollution forecast – Defra, UK – Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs regarding air quality
uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/
Travel vaccinations – NHS – travelling abroad
Further resources
Are you signed up to receive flood warnings? If not call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 to see if your area receives warnings.
Fire Risk Assessment Templates
In order to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you must complete a Fire Risk Assessment of your stall or unit.