Influx of visitors will ‘increase risk of flu pandemic’

Published on 02/04/2012 02:12

This summer’s Olympics will increase the already “extreme” risk of a flu pandemic spreading in the UK, according to a new report.

Britain was ranked second only to Singapore for its vulnerability to the rapid spread of an influenza outbreak.

The UK is at such high risk because of its densely-packed cities, highly-mobile population and popularity as a global travel hub, analysts Maplecroft found.

The study said the London Olympics in July and August will increase the danger of flu spreading because an extra 5.3 million foreign tourists – many from countries where any pandemic is likely to emerge – are expected to visit Britain for the Games.

Maplecroft’s influenza pandemic risk index rates five countries at “extreme” risk from the spread of the disease, with Singapore top, followed by the UK, South Korea, the Netherlands and Germany.

But Britain was also judged to be one of the ten countries best placed to withstand any outbreak thanks to its strong governance, effective health infrastructure and good communications networks.

The report found that South-East Asia was most likely to see a new flu pandemic emerge, with the region containing six of the ten countries at highest risk.

Four nations were considered an “extreme” risk in this category, with Cambodia top, followed by Bangladesh, China and Vietnam.

The authors expressed particular concern about China, whose growing prosperity has led to higher consumption of meat and therefore a rise in livestock numbers.

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