INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Health awareness - Pandemic Flu

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international organisations have recently warned that an influenza (flu) pandemic is both ‘inevitable’ and ‘imminent’.

There is a great deal of effort under way, both globally and in this country, to anticipate and respond effectively to an influenza pandemic, should one occur. 

The following documents will help you understand what Pandemic Flu is and how you may be affected. If you wish to open and download them, please go to the file section at the bottom of this page:

  • Explaining Pandemic Flu
    This document has been produced by the Chief Medical Officer as a useful reference for members of the public and health professionals wishing to better understand the threat, its likely impact on the UK and their country’s plans to respond.
  • Pandemic Flu - Key Facts
    This document contains information about the the pandemic influenza (flu), how it is caused, who is at risk and what the government is doing to prepare for a flu pandemic.
  • Pandemic Flu - Important information for you and your family
    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 flu pandemic.
  • Public health advice for those going to or returning from Bird flu-affected areas
    This leaflet provides public health advice for those going to or returning from Bird flu-affected areas. It contains information on this disease and the precautions you should take to help protect yourself.
  • 'Coughs and Sneezes spread diseases' poster
    This poster aims to raise awareness of the need for good respiratory hygiene and to encourage the public to follow correct coughing and sneezing etiquette.
  • 'Wet, Soap, Wash, Rinse, Dry' poster
    This poster is the first in a range of general hygiene communications.

Alert Phase
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has divided the evolution of a pandemic into six distinct phases.
The International alert level is 3 - a virus new to humans is causing infections, but does not spread easily from one person to another.
In the UK the current alert phase is 0 - there are no cases of pandemic flu in the UK.
For more information about the different phases, click here to look at the World Health Organisation website.

Further help
For more information about Pandemic Flu, please look at the following websites:

Files