In the wake of the events of 11 September 2001 in the USA, I established a committee under the chairmanship of Professor Bill Hall, director of the virus reference laboratory, to prepare an operational plan which would be implemented in the event of a biological attack in this country. In preparing the plan it was necessary to identify the level of risk of such an attack. The committee considered that although the risk of a primary attack in this country was low, the secondary consequences of an attack in another country was the more likely threat.
On 17 October 2001, I launched a protocol for dealing with a suspected anthrax attack in Ireland. The protocol was prepared by the expert committee and deals with the procedures to be adopted in the event of a suspected anthrax attack, including patient treatment and management, post exposure guidelines, etc. Included with the protocol are guidelines for individuals and companies on how to deal with a suspect package believed to contain anthrax. The protocol is revised on an ongoing basis as a result of feedback to the committee. The protocol and guidelines are available on the Department's web site – www.doh.ie.
The expert committee has prepared a more detailed protocol which deals with the other category A agents, including smallpox, botulism, plague and tularaemia. Similar to anthrax, the key issues are preparedness and prevention, based on early detection and surveillance, and the provision of prompt public health responses. I am currently examining the protocol which will issue shortly to appropriate medical and emergency personnel.
Based on the recommendations of the committee I have approved the purchase of specific antibiotics and vaccine which would be required in the event of a biological attack with specific class A agents. These products will complement the existing stocks of medicinal products for the treatment of these diseases.
The high level containment facility which is currently under construction at the virus reference laboratory is tentatively scheduled for completion in September 2002. The facility is designed to a BL 3 plus standard to allow increased containment of a range of infectious agents and to ensure increased safety.
The chief executive officers of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards established a group to review all aspects of major emergency planning in the health context which would inform the need for any revision to existing emergency plans. The group has recently completed its deliberations and has made a number of recommendations in this regard which are to be considered by the chief executive officers at a meeting scheduled to take place this week.
