Emerging Diseases and Pandemics
What is the risk of infectious diseases and pandemics to Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire?
Pandemics are large-scale public health emergencies that occur when a new infectious disease spreads across populations with little or no existing immunity.
Caused by pathogens such as viruses or bacteria, pandemics can emerge anywhere in the world and spread rapidly, leading to widespread illness, disruption, and increased pressure on the healthcare services.
As each pandemic is unique, its severity, duration, and the groups most affected cannot be known in advance. Pandemic outbreaks may last for several months or years and can occur in multiple waves, making preparedness and resilience essential for individuals, communities and organisations.
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.
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.
Effects on you could include:
- Risk to life
- Impacts on all aspects of society
- Travel disruption/ restrictions
- Health impacts on the elderly and vulnerable individuals
- Potential mental health impacts due to stress, anxiety, or isolation during outbreaks.
- 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 emerging infectious diseases
Follow these practical steps so you and your family can be better prepared for emerging diseases.
Keep healthy
A healthy lifestyle can be a defence against a range of communicable diseases and other illnesses.
Identify a friend who can help
Somebody who would collect your medication, food, and other supplies (allowing you to self-isolated if needed).
Create an emergency medicine supply
Keep personal stocks of "over-the-counter" cold and flu medication to help relive your symptoms.
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.
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 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 emerging human diseases
- 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.
- 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
Travel vaccinations - NHS - travelling abroad
Further resources
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