Human disease
Human disease often affects the whole UK. North Tyneside’s residents experienced the wide-ranging impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.
An influenza pandemic is the most likely natural hazard to impact our communities. This occurs when a new strain of the flu virus emerges to which there is no natural immunity. As a result, the virus spreads easily from person to person. Anyone may be affected by a flu outbreak. Vulnerable groups, like the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, are more at risk.
The emergence of new infectious diseases – such as SARS and COVID-19 – can severely impact local communities and the whole UK. New diseases are unpredictable as their impacts are not known in advance. A virus may spread quickly and erratically, and each pandemic is unique.