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Pandemic fluThis page has now been updated with the latest guidance from the Cabinet Office on swine flu. This includes planning assumptions to guide business continuity planning and a link to the Government's new National Flu Service website.
At the current time (July 2009) it is unclear whether the pandemic will unfold as a single extended ‘wave’ or multiple waves separated by periods of reduced case numbers. At the moment, the rate at which new cases accumulate is continuing to accelerate, consistent with an exponentially growing epidemic. If the current growth in cases is sustained, a substantial wave of cases with up to 30% of the population experiencing symptoms could peak in early September, although a smaller but earlier peak is also possible.
Alternatively, seasonal effects might substantially slow the epidemic in July and August – perhaps to the extent of leading to a decline in weekly cases in August, before resurgence in the autumn, for example when schools reopen. If so, the overall peak of the pandemic might be delayed to October or even later.
With this in mind and due to the fact that the security industry will not be treated in priority to any other industry during an outbreak of pandemic flu, the BSIA is advising members to undertake business continuity planning to ensure that their business is able to continuing running in the wake of increased staff absences. Information on which to base this planning and the current advice from the Government is available from the links below:
National Pandemic Flu Service
Department of Health advice
Government leaflet on swine flu
Cabinet Office advice
Cabinet Office advice for businesses
Direct.gov website on pandemic flu
This page will be regularly updated as more advice on pandemic flu is issued.
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