“We assess the highest risk is an influenza-type pandemic, like the outbreak in 1918 which killed 228,000 people in the United Kingdom and an estimated 20-40 million worldwide…. We estimate that a pandemic could cause fatalities in the United Kingdom in the range of 50,000 to 750,000, although both timing and impact are impossible to predict exactly.”
Source: Cabinet Office, The National Security Strategy of the UK Paper - March 2008
Sombre reading isn’t it? Below are some further facts:
- A future influenza pandemic could occur at any time.
- Spread from the source country to the UK through movement of people is anticipated to take 2 to 4 weeks.
Up to 50% of the workforce may be absent at some stage over the entire period of the pandemic.
To find out how we can assist your organisation with:
- Pre-outbreak Risk Assessments, for example
- Prevention and containment strategies
- Two-way communication
- Trigger points for contingency decisions
- Post-outbreak Contingency Plans, for example
- Keeping workplaces open
- Alternative working arrangements
- Employee assistance
To find out how we can assist your organisation, please contact us for more information. |