Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Influenza Pandemic.

Bernard Allen

Question:

237 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the warnings of the World Health Organisation that a universal flu epidemic is inevitable and that all countries should prepare preventative national strategies; and the preventative strategies being prepared here. [10629/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

239 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the members of the steering group which is preparing an action plan to cope with the potential health risks of a flu pandemic. [10631/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 239 together.

The World Health Organisation has recommended that each country should prepare a plan to deal with the issues which would arise in the event of a future influenza pandemic. A pandemic would involve the emergence of a new virus strain to which a high proportion of the population would have no immunity. There would be a high incidence of infection and disease and rapid international spread.

I am in the process of establishing a national influenza pandemic committee, whose tasks will be to prepare a detailed plan for a prompt and effective national response to an influenza pandemic, taking into account WHO guidelines in this area. I am also asking the committee to draw up a plan to address the more regular outbreaks of influenza and influenza-like illnesses.

The committee will be chaired by Professor William Hall, Director of the Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin. In addition to a number of representatives of my Department it will also comprise the General Manager, Community Services, North Western Health Board; specialist in public health medicine, Midland Health Board; chief ambulance officer, Western Health Board; accident and emergency consultant, Southern Health Board; consultant respiratory physician, Mid-Western Health Board; assistant director of nursing, North Eastern Health Board; chief executive officer, Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24; director, public health nursing, South Eastern Health Board; director, National Disease Surveillance Centre; and the director, Office for Health Gain. My Department is awaiting nominations from the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The first meeting will be convened as soon as all nominations have been received.