Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 301: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the scientific basis used to underpin the decision not to stockpile face masks for use by members of the general public in the event of an outbreak of avian flu related human influenza in view of the fact that droplet and aerosol transmission are the most effective ways of spreading influenza and only face masks are capable of preventing such transmissions. [41520/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Influenza Pandemic Expert Group is finalising advice on non-pharmaceutical public health interventions, with reference to recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Influenza is spread mainly by droplet transmission, but can also be spread by direct and indirect contact. Airborne, or fine droplet, transmission can also occur. The Expert Group considers that the two most important public health messages to convey are the importance of respiratory etiquette and hand washing in the prevention of infection. Campaigns to promote these messages are being developed as part of pandemic planning.

The Expert Group has found that there is very little evidence on the effect of the use of face masks in public in preventing influenza transmission. The WHO has recommended that mask use by the public should be based on risk, including frequency of exposure and closeness of contact with potentially infectious persons. The ECDC has issued interim recommendations on personal public health measures for reducing transmission of human influenza. With regard to mask use in public, it has adopted the same position as the WHO. The ECDC cannot recommend general mask wearing during an influenza pandemic: however it notes that there is little or no evidence against people wearing simple masks if they wish to do so and do so properly.