This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7548593.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Flu pandemic 'gravest risk to UK' | |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| A flu pandemic is the gravest threat to UK security as it could claim up to 750,000 lives, according to a new National Risk Register. | A flu pandemic is the gravest threat to UK security as it could claim up to 750,000 lives, according to a new National Risk Register. |
| The document, published for the first time, weighs up the likelihood of threats and their potential impact. | The document, published for the first time, weighs up the likelihood of threats and their potential impact. |
| The most likely threats are attacks on the transport network and on computer and communications systems. | The most likely threats are attacks on the transport network and on computer and communications systems. |
| The information had been kept secret up until now. The register will be updated annually by the Cabinet Office. | The information had been kept secret up until now. The register will be updated annually by the Cabinet Office. |
| The report offers an insight into the various dangers faced by the UK and how they are viewed by government advisors. | The report offers an insight into the various dangers faced by the UK and how they are viewed by government advisors. |
| Experts agree that there is a high probability of another influenza pandemic occurring National Risk Register | Experts agree that there is a high probability of another influenza pandemic occurring National Risk Register |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said that while officials insisted the register was not intended to rank dangers in any kind of priority, it was clear that pandemic flu had emerged as the gravest threat to national security. | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said that while officials insisted the register was not intended to rank dangers in any kind of priority, it was clear that pandemic flu had emerged as the gravest threat to national security. |
| The report says that, while a flu pandemic is not as likely as a terrorist attack, its potential impact is much wider. | The report says that, while a flu pandemic is not as likely as a terrorist attack, its potential impact is much wider. |
| name="story"> class="bodl" href="#threats">See chart of relative threats | |
| It says the emergence of a rapid-spreading influenza virus, which is "markedly different" from others so few people have immunity, could infect up to half of the UK's population. | It says the emergence of a rapid-spreading influenza virus, which is "markedly different" from others so few people have immunity, could infect up to half of the UK's population. |
| The government predicts, based on "historical information, scientific evidence and modelling", that between 50,000 and 750,000 people could die. | The government predicts, based on "historical information, scientific evidence and modelling", that between 50,000 and 750,000 people could die. |
| The Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918-19 is estimated to have caused 20 to 40 million deaths worldwide - 228,000 of which were in the UK. | The Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918-19 is estimated to have caused 20 to 40 million deaths worldwide - 228,000 of which were in the UK. |
| What happens if many of our heavy goods vehicle drivers fell victim to that influenza and weren't able to perform their jobs? Ian Kearns IPPR security commission | What happens if many of our heavy goods vehicle drivers fell victim to that influenza and weren't able to perform their jobs? Ian Kearns IPPR security commission |
| The report says another pandemic on a similar scale would also have social and economic consequences - impacting on essential services, creating shortages and distribution difficulties. | The report says another pandemic on a similar scale would also have social and economic consequences - impacting on essential services, creating shortages and distribution difficulties. |
| "Experts agree that there is a high probability of another influenza pandemic occurring but it is impossible to forecast its exact timing or the precise nature of its impact," the report says. | "Experts agree that there is a high probability of another influenza pandemic occurring but it is impossible to forecast its exact timing or the precise nature of its impact," the report says. |
| Enough back-up? | |
| Last year the government announced it was doubling its stockpile of antiviral medicines in preparation for any flu pandemic. | Last year the government announced it was doubling its stockpile of antiviral medicines in preparation for any flu pandemic. |
| An illustration of the major risks in the report suggests that electronic attacks on computer or communication systems and terrorist attacks are among the most likely threats, but would not have the widespread impact of a flu pandemic. | An illustration of the major risks in the report suggests that electronic attacks on computer or communication systems and terrorist attacks are among the most likely threats, but would not have the widespread impact of a flu pandemic. |
| While flooding is deemed less likely, its potential impact is predicted to be wider. | While flooding is deemed less likely, its potential impact is predicted to be wider. |
| Ian Kearns, deputy chairman of think tank IPPR's security commission, praised the government for trying to stimulate a "mature conversation" with the public and businesses on the risks facing the UK. | Ian Kearns, deputy chairman of think tank IPPR's security commission, praised the government for trying to stimulate a "mature conversation" with the public and businesses on the risks facing the UK. |
| He said the register was particularly aimed at encouraging public and private organisations to think about their response to major emergencies. | He said the register was particularly aimed at encouraging public and private organisations to think about their response to major emergencies. |
| "You might want to ask the question, for example, what happens if many of our heavy goods vehicle drivers fell victim to that influenza and weren't able to perform their jobs? | "You might want to ask the question, for example, what happens if many of our heavy goods vehicle drivers fell victim to that influenza and weren't able to perform their jobs? |
| "Do we have enough back-up to be able, for example, to deliver food to the supermarkets?" he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | "Do we have enough back-up to be able, for example, to deliver food to the supermarkets?" he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. |
| "These kinds of questions about resilience of supply chains and so on; how essential workers might be affected. These are the kind of things that public and private sector organisations need to think about." | "These kinds of questions about resilience of supply chains and so on; how essential workers might be affected. These are the kind of things that public and private sector organisations need to think about." |
| The publication of the register, which was commissioned in March, follows the launch of the National Security Strategy, in which the prime minister announced the number of security service staff would rise to 4,000 and that there would be new moves to secure the UK against cyber-attacks. | The publication of the register, which was commissioned in March, follows the launch of the National Security Strategy, in which the prime minister announced the number of security service staff would rise to 4,000 and that there would be new moves to secure the UK against cyber-attacks. |
| Return to the story |