Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the procedures in place to guard against the possible spread of H5N1 avian flu virus to the human population; if she has satisfied herself that such procedures are adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8534/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am satisfied with progress on preparedness for a possible flu pandemic and with public health actions in response to a possible outbreak of avian flu in Ireland. For the sake of clarity, H5N1 avian flu is primarily a disease of birds. To date, there have been a very small number of human cases of H5N1 infection documented, in situations where there has been very close contact with infected birds. There is no evidence of human to human transmission.

The Department of Agriculture and Food is responsible for controlling avian flu in birds and mammals other than humans. That Department has put in place a range of measures aimed at maintaining Ireland's avian flu-free status. The health sector's role with regard to avian flu relates to the human health implications that would arise were there to be an outbreak of avian flu in this country. My Department is working very closely with the Department of Agriculture and Food in this context.

The Department of Agriculture and Food is also an active participant in my Department's influenza pandemic expert group. A sub-group of the expert group has developed guidance documents for use in the event of an avian influenza outbreak in animals in Ireland. Guidance on the investigation and management of suspected human cases of avian influenza has also been developed and circulated within the health system. These guidance documents are available on the HSE health protection surveillance centre website, www.hpsc.ie.

The overall aims of influenza pandemic planning are to reduce mortality and morbidity and to minimise the resulting disruption to society. In line with information and evidence available internationally, my Department has consistently stated that the consequences of a global pandemic are likely to be serious. Pandemic planning can only mitigate the effects.

I would like to draw a very clear distinction between the current avian flu outbreak and the possibility of a future pandemic influenza in the human population. Experts advise that such a pandemic may arise as a result of the current H5N1 avian flu situation, but this is by no means inevitable. My Department and the Health Service Executive are working closely together on pandemic planning. This work is ongoing on a number of fronts, as follows: the influenza pandemic expert group is updating expert guidance; the pandemic influenza operational response plan is being updated in line with the most up to date expert advice.

This work is being progressed through working or implementation groups established by the HSE to address actions within the following functional areas — surveillance, health services, public health measures, vaccines and antivirals etc., communications, laboratories and materials management. My Department is a member of the HSE steering group and is also actively involved in the vaccines and antivirals and communications groups. My Department has established a standing interdepartmental committee to consider issues which go beyond the health aspects of an influenza pandemic.

Arrangements have been made to procure a stockpile of H5N1 vaccine for key health care workers and other essential workers. My Department is also actively pursuing an advanced purchase order for a pandemic strain vaccine. We are stockpiling 1 million treatment packs of the antiviral drug, Tamiflu. Some 600,000 packs have already been delivered. The remaining 400,000 packs will be delivered this year. Arrangements have also been made to purchase a supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient oseltamivir phosphate powder to treat children aged between one to five years of age. Arrangements are also being finalised for the stockpiling of additional supplies of the other suitable antiviral drug, Relenza.