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Infectious Diseases.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2006

Wednesday, 29 March 2006

Ceisteanna (124)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

142 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding preparations to deal with an outbreak of avian flu; and if all necessary supplies have been ordered for potential victims. [12287/06]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

For the sake of clarity, avian flu, H5N1, is primarily a disease of birds. To date, there have been a very small number of human cases of H5N1 infection documented in situations where there has been very close contact with infected birds. There is no evidence of human to human transmission. The Department of Agriculture and Food is responsible for controlling avian flu in birds and mammals other than humans. That Department has put in place a range of measures aimed at maintaining Ireland's avian flu-free status.

The health sector's role in this respect relates to the human health implications that would arise were there to be an outbreak of avian flu in this country. My Department is working closely with the Department of Agriculture and Food in this context. The Department of Agriculture and Food is an active participant in my Department's influenza pandemic expert group, a subgroup of which has developed guidance documents for use in the event of an avian influenza outbreak in animals in Ireland. Guidance on the investigation and management of suspected human cases of avian influenza has also been developed and circulated within the health system. These guidance documents are available on the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre website www.hpsc.ie.

The overall aims of influenza pandemic planning are to reduce mortality and morbidity and to minimise the resulting disruption to society. In line with information and evidence available internationally, my Department has consistently stated that the consequences of a global pandemic are likely to be serious. Pandemic planning can only mitigate the effects. I would like to draw a clear distinction between the current avian flu outbreak and the possibility of a future pandemic influenza in the human population. Experts advise that such a pandemic may arise as a result of the current H5N1 avian flu situation, but this is by no means inevitable.

My Department and the Health Service Executive are working closely together on pandemic planning. The pandemic influenza operational response plan is being updated in line with the most up-to-date expert advice. This work is being progressed through working and implementation groups established by the HSE to address actions within a number of functional areas, including personnel, supplies and excess mortality.

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