Pandemics
What is the risk of pandemics to Warwickshire?
Pandemics are caused by pathogens including viruses and bacteria. They are natural events that happen when a novel pathogen begins to spread that few people (if any) are immune to. Since people aren’t immune, the pathogen will spread more readily and may cause more serious illness and in a large proportion of the population.
Each pandemic is different, and its impacts/nature cannot be known in advance. It could affect all ages, all populations, but we won’t know who will be most at risk until it happens.
Pandemics are the most serious emergency that you should know about. This is because of the large number of people who could become seriously ill or die, and due to the length of time that it could last. This may be for several months or even years.
Seasonal viral illnesses, such as influenza (flu), normally affect people in the UK between October and May, but a pandemic can come at any time and be caused by any pathogen, not just viruses. It could start anywhere in the world but travel quickly.
Pandemics can occur in more than one wave, possibly months apart. Each wave is likely to last several months.
How could pandemics
affect you and your community?
All age groups can be affected by a pandemic, but diseases can affect different age groups in different ways. We cannot know which age group will be worst affected until a pandemic happens.
It can take several months to prepare a vaccine after a
new pathogen is identified and isolated. Key impacts include:
- Risk to life
- Impacts on all aspects of society
- Health impacts on the elderly and vulnerable
- Impact on education
- Impact on businesses
- Significant strain on responding organisations
Other potential consequences include isolation, lockdowns and/or reduced mixing, social distancing, remote working, and taking preventative measures (such as the use of PPE e.g. wearing face masks) to protect yourself and others.
We can all be better prepared to
respond and recover from pandemics
Follow these practical steps so you and your family can be better prepared for recovery from a pandemic flu.
Keep healthy
A healthy lifestyle can be a defence against a range of communicable diseases and other illnesses.
Identify a friend who can help
Create an emergency medicine supply
Keep personal stocks of “over-the-counter” cold and flu medication to help relieve your symptoms.
Get vaccinated
Make sure you have been vaccinated for communicable diseases that are available within your age/risk group e.g. seasonal influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Pneumococcal, Shingles, Covid etc. These annual flu vaccines can help reduce the risks associated with these diseases. It is free for those most at risk. Speak to a health visitor, school nurse, pharmacist, or a GP regarding the vaccinations available to you and your dependents.
Look out for and follow advice and guidance from the NHS
Wash your hands properly with soap and hot water at regular intervals. Good hand hygiene reduces the spread of bacteria and
viruses.
Use alcohol hand gel on clean hands free of dirt, when you have no access to soap and water or in addition to hand washing.
Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing/coughing, use a tissue and then wash your hands.
Be responsible for your own health and stay at home whilst you're experiencing symptoms - safeguard other vulnerable people.
How to prepare
your business
To respond to pandemics
Stay up to date with the latest information and guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on any emerging new infections.
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.
- Carrying tissues with you, using them to catch your coughs and sneezes, binning the tissue, and washing your hands with soap and water (or use a sanitiser gel).
- Bacteria and viruses can live on some surfaces for hours. Good hygiene remains a basic defence. Remember that antibiotics will not have any effect on infections caused by viruses, as antibiotics only kill bacteria.
- If you feel unwell or have symptoms, stay at home. This will help stop the disease from spreading.
- Ask a friend or someone else to collect your medication, shopping and general supplies so that you can stay at home when you are ill.
- 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 pandemics
Recovering from a pandemic
- 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:
- Manage the demand on the NHS and social care.
- Distribute anti-viral medication for treatment or prophylaxis to the public.
- Oversee public awareness and media management.
- Manage excessive levels of death.
Individual LRF organisations have their own business continuity plans in place to cope in times of staff shortage.
Who is responsible for managing
a pandemics in the county?
UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Look out for advice from the health service, and make sure you follow it. In particular, follow any advice that will help reduce the spread of the virus.
For more information on your local health services or call 111 - the free NHS helpline which directs you to the right local health service.
Further resources
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