Pandemic Preparedness – Update on Exercise PEGASUS

Exercise PEGASUS, the ‘Tier 1’ pandemic preparedness exercise led by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), will conclude live participation on 5 November 2025.

Exercise PEGASUS has been the largest simulation of a pandemic in UK history, involving every government department, the devolved governments, representation from arms-length bodies, local resilience fora, and the engagement of businesses, academics, and external stakeholders.

Across three ‘core’ exercise days, held on 18 September, 9 October and 30 October, participants were challenged to respond across the key phases of a pandemic - emergence, containment and mitigation.

Exercise PEGASUS was based on a novel enterovirus originating from a fictional island. Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that usually cause mild illnesses but can lead to serious conditions such as meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis. Whilst the exercise used a single disease to drive the scenario, learning will be applicable across a range of diseases and modes of transmission. The government continues to plan and prepare for a range of pandemic and emerging infectious disease scenarios.

Although live participation in Exercise PEGASUS has now concluded, critical work continues. A fourth phase (recovery) is planned to be exercised in 2026. Findings will be published as part of the Government’s commitment to transparency.