2.6 Discuss the role of a national public health body in communicable disease outbreaks

This. guide will help you answer 2.6 Discuss the role of a national public health body in communicable disease outbreaks.

The UK has several organisations that focus on public health. For communicable disease outbreaks, the main national public health body is the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Until recently, Public Health England (PHE) led this work. The functions moved to UKHSA in October 2021. This content focuses on the work of UKHSA, but you may sometimes see references to PHE in historical examples.

A national public health body works to control, prevent, and manage communicable diseases. Communicable diseases are illnesses that pass from one person to another, usually caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi.

Purpose of a National Public Health Body

UKHSA exists to protect individual and population health. Its primary purpose is rapid identification and control of health threats, especially infectious diseases. The body covers England, but works with similar agencies across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its work has a direct impact on health and social care settings.

Early Detection and Surveillance

One of the most important roles is early detection. The public health body runs surveillance systems. This means it monitors infection rates and unusual patterns. The data comes from:

GP surgeries and hospitals
Laboratories
Community health reports
Social care settings

Using this information, experts can spot new or rising illnesses quickly. Acting before diseases spread widely minimises harm.

Electronic systems like the Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS) collect and analyse large amounts of health data. Trends in disease are tracked nationally and locally.

Active surveillance involves planned, regular collection of data from clinics, care homes, and other sites where infection risk is higher. Passive surveillance collects data when services report cases as part of normal work.

Investigation of Cases and Outbreaks

If an outbreak is identified, UKHSA scientists and field staff investigate. The goal is to find out:

Who is affected?
Where did the infection start?
How is it spreading?
What is the source?

Field epidemiologists look for patterns among people affected. For instance, in a foodborne illness outbreak, they look at what those affected have eaten. Investigators might take samples from food, water, the environment, or people.

In outbreaks in care homes or hospitals, expert teams visit the site. They review procedures and observe how infection control is managed.

Clear records and case reports support decision-making. All findings are shared with those responsible for infection control, so improvements happen quickly.

Coordination and Management

National public health bodies work in collaboration with many partners:

Local Authorities
National Health Service (NHS) trusts
Care homes and social care agencies
Government departments
Laboratories and academic experts

Outbreak Control Teams (OCTs) are set up to coordinate response. These teams include public health, clinical, and environmental experts. Social care workers and providers are involved when outbreaks affect vulnerable groups or care settings.

OCTs agree on the most effective control measures. They decide if public health advice, such as isolation or temporary closure of a setting, is needed.

Risk Assessment

UKHSA assesses risk regularly, drawing on current information. Risk assessment involves evaluating:

The seriousness of the disease (mild, severe, life-threatening)
How easily it spreads (airborne, contact, food or water-borne)
How many people are at risk (population, vulnerable groups)
The likely impact on health services and society

Decisions about prioritising resources are based on this risk assessment. For high-risk outbreaks, surge plans allow quick mobilisation of staff and equipment.

Guidance and Information for the Public

During an outbreak, clear information is vital. UKHSA:

Provides regular updates to the public, health and social care workers, and the government
Issues advice on symptoms, when to seek help, and how to avoid infection
Shares technical guidance for professional groups (GPs, care home staff, NHS, cleaning teams, etc.)

Information is published on websites, social media, and sent directly to providers and organisations. Translations are made available in different languages.

Public communication might include:

Posters, leaflets, and digital notices
Frequently asked questions online
Press conferences or statements

Timely information helps people take protective measures. Honest reporting builds trust, even if news is worrying.

Infection Prevention and Control Support

A central function is providing up-to-date infection prevention and control (IPC) advice. This covers:

Hand hygiene
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Cleaning and disinfection procedures
Quarantine and isolation of affected individuals
Visitor restrictions, if required

UKHSA supports health and social care providers to review and strengthen their IPC policies. Field staff may visit sites or provide remote advice. Clear, practical guidance is shared to help workers reduce the spread of infection.

For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive guidance covered staff testing, PPE use, visiting arrangements, and cleaning in homes for older people and people with disabilities.

Testing, Tracing, and Confirmation

Diagnostic testing identifies the cause of illness. National public health laboratories analyse samples from affected people. Confirmation of a specific infection helps guide further action.

Contact tracing is used for diseases that spread easily, like measles, tuberculosis, or COVID-19. Tracing means finding and warning anyone who has been exposed, so they can isolate or get tested.

Work may include:

Collecting swabs, blood, or other samples
Coordinating with NHS or laboratory services
Tracing contacts and supporting them with advice
Setting up mass testing centres or rapid response teams when needed

Strategic Planning and Policy

National public health bodies develop policies for outbreak management. These policies are based on scientific evidence, previous outbreaks, and advice from expert committees.

Planning covers:

National and regional outbreak response frameworks
Emergency preparedness drills
Pandemic plans, including supply chains for medication, PPE, and vaccination

Policy documents guide all levels of the health and social care system, from local centres to large hospitals.

Vaccination Programmes

Disease outbreaks are sometimes managed by introducing or increasing vaccination. For example, if cases of measles or meningitis rise, a targeted vaccination campaign may be organised.

UKHSA arranges vaccine supply, works with NHS to deliver doses, and monitors uptake. Information about who should receive the vaccine is communicated widely.

Mass vaccination may be used during severe outbreaks, as with COVID-19, to protect the population and prevent ongoing spread.

Reporting to Government and International Bodies

UKHSA provides regular reports to the UK government. Ministers and senior officials need accurate information to make decisions and support the national response.

Some diseases are legally notifiable. This means cases must be reported to the public health body straight away. Reports are shared with the World Health Organization (WHO) and European agencies if international spread is possible.

For serious diseases, the national body interacts with partners around the world. A coordinated response limits the impact of outbreaks crossing borders.

Training and Education

New knowledge constantly emerges about infections. UKHSA runs training for health and social care workers to update skills and share good practice.

This may include:

Webinars and practical demonstrations on hygiene and PPE
Fact sheets on new outbreaks
Crisis simulation exercises

Up-to-date understanding protects staff and the people they care for.

Review and Evaluation

After an outbreak, UKHSA evaluates the response. This involves:

Analysing what went well and what could improve
Gathering feedback from staff, partners, and affected populations
Publishing reports and lessons learned

Continuous improvement prepares the system for future outbreaks and supports safer care.

Examples in Practice

COVID-19 Pandemic

UKHSA (and earlier, PHE) led much of the response. Roles included:

Monitoring case numbers, hospital admissions, and deaths daily
Advising on social distancing, face coverings, and lockdowns
Setting up large-scale testing and contact tracing
Rolling out a mass vaccination programme

Guidance was issued to care homes, schools, hospitals, and the public.

Norovirus Outbreaks

Norovirus causes outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitals and care homes. The public health body:

Receives reports of outbreaks from care settings
Advises on closing wards or homes to visitors
Suggests deep cleaning and hand-washing policies
Reviews outbreak causes and helps with recovery

Measles Clusters

If measles cases appear in an area, the public health body traces contacts, provides extra vaccination, and educates the community. Health protection teams work with schools and care homes to limit spread.

Partnership with Social Care

Social care settings are often vulnerable when outbreaks happen. Residents and service users may be more likely to get seriously ill.

UKHSA supports care homes and community settings by:

Sharing outbreak updates and relevant guidance
Advising managers and staff on infection control within the home
Supporting with testing and isolation for staff and residents
Coordinating response with local directors of public health

During COVID-19, specific guidance for care homes covered visiting, cleaning, and use of PPE. Public health staff provided tailored advice and helped with responding to positive cases.

Supporting Equal Access and Inclusion

Some groups face extra risks during communicable disease outbreaks. UKHSA works to:

Identify and support people with health inequalities
Provide information in accessible formats (easy read, large print, formats for people with sensory impairments)
Offer advice and resources in multiple languages

Local community groups and social care organisations receive support to help protect people who are hard to reach or vulnerable.

Legal Responsibilities

Public health law gives national bodies the power to protect the public. This includes:

Requiring compulsory notification of certain diseases
Authorising quarantine, exclusion from work, or closure of premises in severe cases
Setting statutory guidance for outbreak response

Healthcare and social care providers must follow this guidance as part of their duty of care. Failure to do so can result in enforcement action.

Role in Research

UKHSA runs and supports research into new diseases and better control methods. This includes:

Investigating emerging infections
Developing new diagnostic tests
Studying how diseases spread in community and institutional settings

Research findings are shared to improve all future outbreak responses.

Final Thoughts

The national public health body has a wide range of responsibilities in controlling communicable disease outbreaks.

Close communication and partnership with all involved parties are key to stopping the spread of disease and protecting everyone’s health. Social care workers play a crucial part by following advice, reporting issues, and working with public health teams. All actions are anchored in national law and best scientific evidence.