Emerging infectious diseases include new or newly recognised diseases and could cause large numbers of people falling ill.  Infections have been emerging for thousands of years as interactions between humans, animals and their environments have increased and changed.  The likelihood of an emerging infectious disease spreading within the UK is assessed to be lower than that of a flu pandemic.

The UK Health Security Agency and NHS responders have well-tested response capabilities to detect, contain and treat novel infectious diseases.

RISK IMPACTS and CONSEQUENCES

• Large numbers of deaths or injuries, with places needed to help hospitals deal with an increased number of patients and mortuary spaces so that people can be treated with dignity.
• Disruption to public services such as school closures, bin collections and welfare payments.
• Significant disruption to all sectors of society.