Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the international increase in swine 'flu cases; the progress in preparing for the possibility of a pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23708/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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A public health alert was received from the World Health Organisation on 24th April 2009 indicating that human cases of influenza type A(H1N1) had been identified in the USA and Mexico. At that time the WHO pandemic alert level was at phase 3. On 11 June the WHO raised this alert level to phase 6 which in effect declares an influenza pandemic. Pandemic means that an influenza virus, new to humans, has appeared, is spreading and is causing disease in many parts of the world. Level 6 means that there is increased and sustained transmission in human population. The WHO assessed the severity of the current pandemic as moderate.

My Department and the Health Service Executive have been preparing for some years for the possibility of a pandemic being declared. On receipt of the alert from WHO my Department activated the National Plan for pandemic influenza which was put in place in January 2007. The plan was accompanied by a Guidance Report developed by the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group which was further updated in April 2009 and this guidance is currently being followed. In line with the plan the following governance structures were put in place:-

• The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), which manages the health system response to a public health emergency continues to meet as required.

• The Pandemic Influenza Expert Group is continuing to provide public health and scientific advice on preparedness and control measures to the NPHET.

• The Inter-Departmental Committee on Pandemic Planning which coordinates the intersectoral response to a potential pandemic meets as required.

• HSE national and regional crisis management teams are meeting regularly to coordinate HSE preparedness and response measures.

• My Department and the HSE participate in regular teleconference meetings with the European Centre for Disease Control, public health officials in other European Member States and the WHO.

The following measures have also been taken :-

• Enhanced surveillance in hospitals and in the community.

• Regular updates for healthcare professionals and the public.

• Provision of antiviral drugs to cover 47% of the population, some of which has been distributed through public health departments to facilitate treatment of initial cases.

• The HSE, in association with the Department, has finalised advance purchase agreements to procure 7.7m doses of pandemic vaccine.

• Frequently Asked Questions are updated daily on my Departmentâ€TMs website and that of the HSE.

• Travel advise is updated daily on the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Foreign Affairs websites.

• A coordinated communications strategy is in place which includes regular press briefings.

I am satisfied that we in Ireland are well prepared to deal with the current threat from this virus.