asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the reports that a new germ of influenza, now prevalent in the Far East, is likely to spread to Europe, he will take steps to have a suitable vaccine prepared, if possible, as a precaution against this probable danger to the health of the people in the coming winter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Precautions against Influenza.
An Influenza Centre, which keeps in close contact with other similar centres established throughout the world by the World Health Organisation, is located in Dublin. The purpose of the centre is to keep a special watch on the occurrence of influenza in this and other countries.
The virus responsible for the present outbreak in the East has already been identified at the World Influenza Centre in London, and efforts are being made to produce a suitable vaccine to limit the spread of the disease wherever it may occur. My Department, and the Dublin centre, are keeping in close touch with the latest developments in the matter.