Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2007
52 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence if there have been recent meetings of the interdepartmental working group on emerging planning to prepare for the anticipated arrival of avian flu here; the outcome of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2809/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Inter-Departmental Working Group on Emergency Planning last met on the 18 January 2007. This was the 46th meeting of the Working Group. At that meeting the Department of Agriculture and Food briefed the Working Group of its assessment on the current risk of an avian flu outbreak. The Department's assessment is that the current risk of an avian flu outbreak in Ireland is low.
The Department of Health and Children, which has primary responsibility for the preparation of influenza pandemic plans, provided a briefing to the Working Group on the National Pandemic Influenza Plan, which was launched by that Department and the Health Service Executive on 15 January 2007. This plan provides information on pandemic influenza and explains what the Government and the health services are doing to prepare for a possible pandemic. The Plan also advises the public on what is required of them in the event of a pandemic.
Under the World Health Organization's levels of alert, the current alert level is Phase 3. This means that there is human infection with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread (or, at most, rare instances of spread to a close contact).
An Inter-Departmental Standing Committee chaired by the Department of Health and Children also meets regularly and examines ways of supporting the Department of Health and Children in planning for and responding to any possible flu pandemic.
The Inter-Departmental Working Group on Emergency Planning will continue to be briefed and updated on these matters and related emergency planning issues on a regular and ongoing basis.
