http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk The Local Resilience Forum website for the West Midlands Conurbation Thu, 20 May 2010 08:56:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The Electoral Commission will publish its interim report later into the chaos which ensued at a string of polling stations on general election day. Hundreds of people, many of whom had queued for more than an hour before the polls closed, were unable to vote. Problems were reported in Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/05/20/election-night-vote-chaos-report-to-be-published/ People using Birmingham International Airport have been warned some flights may be affected because of risks from volcanic ash. The disruption is affecting flights to and from the Republic of Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday. Glasgow, Prestwick and Derry airports are likely to be closed all day. Birmingham airport said passengers should look ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/05/05/birmingham-airport-in-fresh-warning-over-ash/ Up to 12,000 properties in Kings Heath lose water Up 12,000 homes, including six schools in Birmingham, have been affected by a burst water main in the city. Severn Trent said the fault, caused by "third party contractor damage", occurred in Dads Lane, Kings Heath, at about 0900 BST. Supplies ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/04/22/up-to-12000-properties-in-kings-heath-lose-water/ Birmingham Airport will remain closed until at least 1900 BST as uncertainty over a new ash cloud remains. Volcanic ash drifting from Iceland prompted a UK-wide ban last Thursday. Earlier, it was thought the ban at Birmingham might be lifted by lunchtime on Tuesday, but the new ash cloud is causing doubts. The ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/04/20/birmingham-airport-reopening-delayed-further/ KEY POINTS The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme decreased to 36.0 per 100,000 in week 45 compared to 37.7 in week 44. The main burden of flu-like illness nationally in week 45 is in the 25% of the UK population). The ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2009/11/16/weekly-pandemic-flu-media-update-12th-november-2009/ KEY POINTS The flu-like illness rate in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme increased to 42.8 per 100,000 in week 43 compared to 39.1 in week 42. An increase was seen in all age groups. The main burden of flu-like illness nationally is in the 1-4 and 5-14 ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2009/11/04/weekly-pandemic-flu-media-update-29th-october-2009/ 20 September 2009 The Health Protection Agency (HPA) reports that the total number of cases of E Coli O157 linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey is 64. Nine children remain in hospital all of whom are described today as stable and improving. None are seriously ill. ENDS Notes to editors: E coli 0157 bacteria usually ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2009/09/21/e-coli-0157-in-surrey-update/ 23 July 2009 A new self-care service which will give people with pandemic swine flu symptoms fast access to information and antivirals was launched today by Health Secretary, Andy Burnham. The National Pandemic Flu Service is a new dedicated website and phoneline (0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1 513 ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2009/07/27/swine-flu/ The World Health Organisation has declared a swine flu pandemic, raising its alert level to the maximum of six. It does not mean the virus has become more deadly, just that its geographical spread is now global. The WHO warned that countries already hit by the virus should prepare for a "second ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2009/06/12/the-world-health-organisation-has-declared-a-swine-flu-pandemic-raising-its-alert-level-to-the-maximum-of-six/ Swine flu is a respiratory illness caused by the type A flu (H1N1) virus. The latest outbreaks in countries around the world have been caused by a new version (strain) of the virus.Transmission of this new virus is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. The infection ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2009/06/10/swine-influenza-2/