Community Risk Register
Contents
Diseases
Human diseases
Some human diseases have the potential to cause a civil emergency due to the number of people they affect. One such risk is an influenza or flu pandemic when a flu virus evolves that few people (if any) are immune to.
There are important differences between ordinary seasonal flu of the kind that happens in winter, and pandemic flu. In a pandemic, the new virus will spread quickly and cause more serious illness in a large proportion of the population, due to the lack of immunity.
There is a high probability of a flu pandemic occurring, but it is impossible to predict when, or exactly what it would be like. Emerging infectious diseases are closely monitored by public health agencies and international partners such as the World Health Organisation and the UK Health Security Agency.
Information will be provided on specific diseases when they emerge.
Hygiene is the main method to prevent the spread of germs:
- catch it - always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.
- bin it - germs can live for several hours on tissues. Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible.
- kill it - hands can transfer germs to every surface you touch. Clean your hands as soon as you can
Animal diseases
Animal diseases:
- have the potential to spread from animals to humans and cause illness
- can affect the animals on which we rely for food, trade, or to maintain ecosystems - particularly Northamptonshire with its large agricultural presence
The agricultural community is commercially important to Northamptonshire as it provides employment and supports other industries and local services.
The early reporting of any suspicion of animal disease is vital. If you have concerns about the health of your animals, discuss them with your veterinary surgeon or report to DEFRA APHA directly.
You can sign up to the Alerts Service to keep up to date with the latest news.
The World Organisation for Animal Health is a comprehensive resource of more than 50 wildlife diseases which may have a serious impact on livestock health, public health and wildlife.
Last updated 30 May 2024