The table below shows the impact of some of the major respiratory virus pandemics and epidemics in the last 100 years
Major respiratory virus outbreaks |
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*the proportion of people who became ill with symptoms and subsequently died |
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| Area of emergence | Estimated case fatality ratio* | Estimated attributable excess mortality worldwide | Estimated attributable excess mortality in the UK | Age groups most affected |
Spanish Flu 1918 – 1919 Severe influenza pandemic |
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| Unclear | ≥ 2% | 20 – 50 million |
200,000 | Young adults, elderly and young children |
Asian Flu 1957 – 1958 Moderate influenza pandemic |
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| Southern China | 0.1 – 0.2% | 1 – 4 million | 33,000 | Children |
Hong Kong Flu 1968 – 1969 Moderate influenza pandemic |
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| Southern China | 0.2 – 0.4% | 1 – 4 million | 80,000 | All age groups |
Swine Flu 2009 – 2010 Very mild influenza pandemic |
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| Mexico | <0.025% | 18,000 | 457 | Children, young adults and pregnant women |
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome 2012 Continuing coronavirus pandemic threat |
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|
Middle East |
30% | 8610 | 0 | Elderly (60+) |
Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2002 - 2003 Severe coronavirus pandemic ‘near-miss’ |
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| China | 10% | 7740 | 0 | Middle aged adults (45 - 65) |
Seasonal flu epidemic 1989 - 1990 Severe influenza seasonal epidemic |
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| UK | Data not available | Not applicable | 26,000 excess deaths in England and Wales |
Elderly 75+ |
The UK is well prepared for disease outbreaks, having responded to a wide range of infectious disease outbreaks in the recent past, and having undertaken significant preparedness work for an influenza pandemic for well over one decade (eg. our existing plan ‘flu plans'). Our plans have been regularly tested and updated locally and nationally to ensure they are fit for purpose.