Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I do not want to be accused of scaremongering. However, two reports were issued recently, one from the World Health Organisation and the other from the Harvard School of Public Health. While quite frightening, they are also a reminder that we can do something about the issues outlined. One relates to the danger of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu and the possibility of a pandemic. The Harvard School of Public Health and the World Health Organisation suggest that such a pandemic could cause 7 million deaths, but we can do something about it. Yesterday the Harvard School of Public Health issued a report that it had done an investigation and discovered that very few countries had stockpiled the anti-viral drugs that are necessary. Japan and Australia do not have sufficient drugs. The dangers of this disease have not been publicised. We are not aware of the huge dangers of a pandemic such as that which occurred in 1918 when between 20 and 50 million people died as a result of flu. I would like the matter to be drawn to the attention of the Minister for Health and Children.