Human Health

Please see UK Resilience Human Flu Pandemic page for the latest updates on flu.

For information about the Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) please see our Animal and Plant Disease page.

Latest links

REVISED - Guidance: Contingency Planning for a Possible Influenza Pandemic This Guidance was produced by the Cabinet Office in consultation with the Health Departments and with other Government Departments. The Cabinet Office has issued it as part of our role in supporting the Department of Health, as Lead Department, in preparing and planning for a possible flu pandemic. An updated version of the guidance was published in July 2006. [PDF, 16 pages, 260KB]

Guidance for Schools: Planning for a human flu pandemic New guidance from the DfES, in consultation with other Government departments and external partners [External website]

Pandemic Influenza Checklist for Businesses and organisations [PDF 129KB, 4 pages] To assist businesses and other organisations in developing and reviewing plans for a flu pandemic, the Government has published a checklist identifying important and specific activities which organisations can do to prepare.

FCO: Avian and Pandemic Influenza: factsheet for British nationals travelling or resident overseas [External website] (18/05/06)

Association of British Insurers: Advice on business continuity during a possible flu pandemic [External website]

UPDATED: Chief Medical Officer: Bird flu and pandemic influenza: what are the risks? [External website]

FT: Ask the experts - how to prepare for bird flu [External website] Online Q&A with Bruce Mann, head of the CCS, and Dr. Michael Perdue of the World Health Organization, about pandemic flu and avian flu, including business continuity planning, time frames, and anti-viral drugs.

Foreign Office: Avian and Pandemic Influenza: Factsheet for British Nationals Travelling or Resident Overseas [External website]

London Emergency health site - londonemergency.nhs.uk [External website] New emergency health site for Londoners with an up-to-date news feed during major incidents, and links to useful sites and information.

WHO - 5 Keys to safer food [PDF, 1 page, 120KB] - guidance from the World Health Organisation

Department of Health: Pandemic Flu - key facts leaflet
Information on the disease, what causes it, what the Government is doing to counteract it, and what you can do to protect yourself (October 2005 edition).Pandemic Flu - key facts leaflet [External PDF, 4 pages, 79KB]

Department of Health: Pandemic Flu - frequently asked questions [External PDF, 16 pages, 104KB] Answers to commonly asked questions about the likely impact on society. Updated 19 Oct.

Department of Health leaflet: Pandemic Flu - important information for you and your family [External PDF, 16 pages, 1MB] This leaflet describes pandemic flu, the risk of it occurring in this country, what makes it different from the ‘ordinary’ flu we get every winter, and what the UK is doing to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. Updated 19 Oct.

Department of Health: Pandemic Flu page [External website] Frequently updated

Information from Government

England

Department of Health - Outbreak Plans [External website]

Department of Health - Communicable Diseases [External website]

Chief Medical Officer [External website]

Health Protection Agency [External website]

NHS Direct [External website] - 24-hour health information and advice, on the Healthline: 0845 46 47

Wales

Chief Medical Officer Wales - Pandemic Flu - Current Action [External website] Includes the Wales framework for managing major infectious disease emergencies, the Welsh health circular on pandemic flu planning arrangements, and important information for you and your family.