FAQ

What is the predicted progress of a pandemic?

Once established, a pandemic is likely to spread to the UK in less than a month. In a further 2-3 weeks, it could have spread across the UK. Thereafter, activity could last 3-5 months, with a peak of cases at about week 6. Subsequent waves are likely, weeks to months later. The illness is likely to affect more people and cause more severe illness than the annual 'seasonal' influenza which occurs each winter in the UK: about a quarter of the population may have developed the illness, with 50,000 deaths or more, by the end of the pandemic.

How does influenza spread?

Influenza is mainly spread by the respiratory route, through droplets of infected respiratory secretions produced when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes; it may also be spread by hand/face contact after touching a person or surface contaminated with infectious respiratory droplets. What is the period of infection? People are likely to be infectious just before the onset of symptoms and then highly infectious for 4-5 days

Will a vaccine be available?

A suitable vaccine is very unlikely to be available in the early stages of any influenza pandemic and the lead time before a new vaccine becomes available in quantity is likely to be at least 4-6 months.

What about anti-viral drugs?

Manufacture of antiviral drugs takes several months, and their availability cannot be assured at the time of a pandemic, when international demand will be high. (nb there is evidence of a level Tamiflu resistance in some H5N1 strains in Egypt)

What age groups are most at risk from a flu pandemic?

All ages will be affected, but children and otherwise fit adults could be at relatively greater risk, particularly should elderly people have some residual immunity from exposure to a similar virus earlier in their lifetime.

How will the pandemic affect the work place?

It is suggested that business continuity plans are based on a cumulative total of 25% of workers taking some time off (worst case of a 50%) - possibly 5-8 working days - over a period of 3 to 4 months. Absenteeism due to the pandemic will rise to a peak of 5-7%, the higher number including those who would need to look after those who are ill. This equates to about three times the normal average absenteeism in a private sector company and double that in the public sector.

Will a pandemic affect health and social services?

The impact of a flu pandemic on health and social services is likely to be intense, sustained and nation-wide; both services may quickly become overwhelmed

Will travel be affected?

Travel will be impacted through:

The answers to the FAQ's have all been taken from the UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan.

All information supplied here is done so freely and Adveticus Limited takes no responsibility for the outcome if any or all of this advice is taken. All advice used from these pages is at your own risk.