Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 243: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she has taken since Dáil Éireann rose for the 2005 summer recess to address the threatened avian flu pandemic; if further stocks of medicines to combat the threat have been ordered; when stocks already ordered will come on stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24435/05]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 416: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures taken by her Department to prevent an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu transmutable to humans in the forthcoming winter; if an adequate supply of vaccine against this strain will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25606/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 416 together.

Pandemic influenza is a type of influenza that can be expected to occur, on average, three or four times each century when new virus subtypes emerge and are readily transmitted from person to person. Influenza experts agree that another influenza pandemic will occur. However, it is impossible to predict when it will occur. The ongoing outbreaks of avian influenza in Asia highlight the need for vigilance and preparedness. The greatest concern for human health is that the avian influenza virus will remain endemic in Asia and that continued transmission of the virus to humans and other animals will provide opportunities for human and avian viruses to exchange genes to produce a virus that can replicate in humans, is highly pathogenic and is easily transmissible between humans. In a human population with no pre-existing immunity, such a virus could trigger a global influenza pandemic. There is no evidence of sustained person-to-person transmission of avian influenza, however.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre plays a key role in the prevention and management of infectious diseases, including influenza, in this country. The Irish approach to infectious diseases outbreaks is based on sound internationally accepted principles such as preventative measures, early identification of cases, effective clinical care including good hospital infection control, appropriate surveillance, contact tracing and management of contacts. The centre monitors the avian influenza situation in Asia on an ongoing basis through the World Health Organisation. There are no restrictions on travel to any country experiencing outbreaks of avian infection in poultry flocks, including countries which have reported cases in humans. However, in line with advice from the WHO, it is recommended that Irish travellers to areas experiencing outbreaks of avian influenza infection should avoid contact with live animal markets and poultry farms.

In addition, the following actions have been undertaken. Interim Irish guidelines on the investigation and management of suspected human cases of avian influenza have been circulated to all health care professionals and are also posted on the website of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. A clinical management algorithm has been circulated to hospitals and clinicians on the appropriate management of travellers returning from countries affected by avian influenza presenting with fever and respiratory symptoms. This will assist in the early detection of any cases of this form of influenza.

The overall aims of pandemic influenza preparedness planning are to reduce morbidity and mortality and to minimise the resulting disruption to society. However, the consequences of a global pandemic are likely to be serious. Pandemic planning can only mitigate the effects. Ireland's first influenza pandemic preparedness plan was finalised in 2002. The influenza pandemic expert group is reviewing and updating the expert guidance on pandemic preparedness and response. A generic public health emergency plan was prepared in 2004 to facilitate health service providers in developing and reviewing plans for public health emergencies. The Health Service Executive is developing and implementing a national operational plan for the health services in the event of an influenza pandemic.

The main treatment for pandemic influenza is the administration of antiviral drugs. Antivirals can shorten the duration of the disease and alleviate symptoms. Arrangements have been made to purchase 1 million treatment packs of Tamiflu antivirals. This quantity is sufficient to treat 25% of the population, in line with international trends. Some 600,000 packs — enough to treat 15% of the population — will be delivered by the end of the year. The remaining 400,000 packs will be delivered next year. Vaccination is the principal measure for preventing influenza and reducing the impact of epidemics. It will be the primary public health intervention in the event of an influenza pandemic. However, the production of a vaccine tailored to a pandemic influenza strain could take six to nine months.

Developments at international level seek to expedite the pandemic vaccine production process. A vaccine that is in development could offer some protection against a influenza strain of this nature. International experts consider that a stockpile of such a vaccine could be used as a first line of defence for priority groups, such as health care staff, while a vaccine against the exact pandemic influenza strain is manufactured. In August, I accepted a recommendation from the influenza pandemic expert group that a limited amount of the vaccine should be purchased. This stockpile will be reserved for key workers in essential services. The Department of Health and Children is actively pursuing the matter.